divided by

USAGE SUMMARY

"divided by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a mathematical expression meaning to separate something into two or more parts and can be used to quantify the ratio between two numbers. For example: "The apples were divided by three, resulting in three equal parts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ottawa was divided by Lieut.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was also divided by style.

The New York Times - Arts

No number divided by two is itself.

Independent

The displays are divided by medium.

The New York Times

Was your community divided by the strike?

The Guardian

"Our country is divided by ideology.

The Guardian

Each area is divided by age.

The New York Times

"It was divided by chronology and media.

The New York Times - Arts

People didn't get divided by this.

The Guardian

Derry is divided by the River Foyle.

The Guardian - Arts

"Happiness is reality divided by expectations".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "divided by" in mathematical contexts, ensure clarity by placing the dividend before and the divisor after the phrase. For instance, "10 divided by 2" is clearer than "divided by 2, 10".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the order of operations. Saying "the result divided by two" is vague; clarify with "the result is divided by two" or similar phrasing to ensure the intended calculation is understood.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "divided by" is to serve as a prepositional phrase indicating division, either in a literal mathematical sense or figuratively to denote separation or distinction. Ludwig's examples demonstrate both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "divided by" is a versatile prepositional phrase primarily used to express mathematical division or to describe separation based on specific criteria. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used. The phrase is common in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific publications, and wiki articles. When using "divided by", ensure clarity in mathematical expressions and choose alternative phrases like "separated by" or "partitioned by" to convey nuanced meanings of separation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

separated by

Focuses on the act of keeping things apart, differing slightly in emphasis from division.

split by

Implies a forceful or abrupt division.

partitioned by

Emphasizes a more formal or structural separation.

sectioned off by

Highlights a physical separation into distinct areas.

segmented by

Suggests separation into different parts based on certain criteria.

demarcated by

Highlights a clear marking or boundary that separates.

distinguished by

Highlights the differences that set things apart.

differentiated by

Focuses on the specific attributes that cause a separation.

characterized by

Shifts the focus to the defining feature that causes a separation or distinction.

isolated by

Emphasizes the separation that leads to being set apart or alone.

FAQs

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

You can use "divided by" to express mathematical division, such as "Twelve "divided by" three equals four". It can also describe separation or distinction, like "The class was "divided by" age groups".

What are some alternatives to "divided by" in a mathematical context?

In mathematical contexts, you could use "over", as in "a fraction of one "over" two", or rephrase the sentence to use terms like "a quotient of" or "shared equally among".

Is it always necessary to use "divided by" when describing separation?

No, depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "separated by", "partitioned by", or "distinguished by" to provide more specific nuances about the nature of the separation or distinction. Consider also using "split by".

How does the meaning of "divided by" change based on the context?

In mathematical contexts, "divided by" indicates a precise calculation. In descriptive contexts, it signifies a distinction or separation based on a specific criterion, such as "The project was "divided by" tasks".