divided allegiance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "divided allegiance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a person has conflicting loyalties or commitments to different groups or causes. Example: "His divided allegiance between his home country and his new nation made it difficult for him to fully commit to either side."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"It's a formal declaration of divided allegiance, civic bigamy, if you will".

The New York Times

The strain of divided allegiance remained a permanent condition of his existence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Brock's divided allegiance as a cook his "internal struggle," as he puts it, between "purity and simplicity" and "cutting-edge, seriously interesting food"—can be traced back to those early days in his grandma's kitchen.

The New Yorker

Kentucky has always existed in the middle: as a state looking back and ahead, as a crossroads for westward expansion, and as a territory with divided allegiance during the American Civil War (1861 65).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Brock's divided allegiance as a cook — his "internal struggle," as he puts it, between "purity and simplicity" and "cutting-edge, seriously interesting food" — can be traced back to those early days in his grandma's kitchen.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Attorney General William P. Rogers had divided allegiances.

Yale University

Like many Germans, he has divided allegiances.

The New York Times

In Boston, there is one team and no divided allegiances.

The New York Times - Sports

Season 2: Where will Brody's divided allegiances fall, and will his terrorist activities be exposed?

The New Yorker

The conflict between cabinet ministers mirrors Mr. Schröder's own divided allegiances.

The New York Times

The foppish Lord Leicester Mikael Persbrandtt), beloved of both Elisabet and Maria, here comes across as a boy toy for hire with terminally divided allegiances and affections.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "divided allegiance" to illustrate a character's internal struggle in literature or film, emphasizing their conflicting commitments.

Common error

Avoid using "divided allegiance" when you actually mean a simple disagreement or difference of opinion. "Allegiance" implies a deeper, more fundamental loyalty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "divided allegiance" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of having conflicting loyalties, as exemplified in Ludwig's examples where it's used to depict historical, political, and personal conflicts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "divided allegiance" effectively describes conflicting loyalties or commitments. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for expressing divided loyalties in various contexts. While not exceedingly common, it's frequently found in news, encyclopedias, and academic settings. Related phrases like "conflicting loyalties" or "split loyalties" offer similar meanings. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a fundamental loyalty conflict rather than a simple disagreement. Avoid mistaking it with simpler concepts like disagreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divided loyalty

Uses "loyalty" instead of "allegiance".

conflicting loyalties

Focuses on the presence of competing loyalties without necessarily implying a division.

split loyalties

Highlights the separation or fracturing of loyalties.

dual loyalty

Emphasizes having loyalty to two distinct entities.

competing allegiances

Highlights the competition between different allegiances.

mixed loyalties

Suggests a blend of different loyalties, which may or may not be in conflict.

clashing loyalties

Emphasizes the conflict and incompatibility between loyalties.

wavering allegiance

Implies uncertainty or fluctuation in one's allegiance.

undecided loyalty

Suggests a lack of commitment or a difficulty in choosing where one's loyalty lies.

shared allegiance

Suggests allegiance given to multiple entities, which may be complementary rather than conflicting.

FAQs

How can I use "divided allegiance" in a sentence?

You can use "divided allegiance" to describe a situation where someone has conflicting loyalties. For example, "His "divided allegiance" between his family and his job caused him considerable stress."

What's a good alternative to "divided allegiance"?

Alternatives include "conflicting loyalties", "split loyalties", or "dual loyalty" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "divided allegiance" a formal or informal expression?

"Divided allegiance" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal writing might benefit from exploring related terms such as "conflicting loyalties" depending on the context.

What does "divided allegiance" imply about a person's commitment?

It suggests that a person's commitment is not absolute or singular, but rather distributed among different entities, potentially creating internal conflict or external challenges.