down the divide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "down the divide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing separation, differences, or divisions between groups, ideas, or regions. Example: "The community worked hard to bridge the gap down the divide between the two neighborhoods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Open source is based fundamentally on breaking down the divide between producers and consumers – what Karl Marx once called alienation – and replacing it with community co-operation.

The Guardian

To further break down the divide between stalls and stage, she has also taken the unusual step of seating the orchestra on stage.

The Guardian - Books

On a local level, the museum could help break down the divide between the ivory tower at the top of the hill and the gritty neighborhood at the bottom.

The New York Times - Arts

Loyalist Democrats want to play down the divide, calling for unity by insisting that Democrats are all members of "the left" (if those calling for unity are younger, millennial types), or that they are all "liberals" (if they are older, Clinton-era types).

The Guardian

Now augmented reality is breaking down the divide between virtual and physical.

Forbes

Progress in this direction would be much faster if we broke down the divide between human testing and animal testing.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

University Alliance's latest project, university-vision, aims to break down the divides between mission groups.

The Guardian

When his neighbor and AngelList founder Naval Ravikant moved out, he bought that apartment too, tore down the dividing wall, and turned the sprawling steel and concrete palace into Famous HQ.

TechCrunch

Also, to help simplify things, break down the dividing process room-by-room, versus tackling the entire house.

Huffington Post

It comes down to the divide between right and left.

The Guardian

Despite its pivotal role in advancing digital access, business in general has been slow to help break down the digital divide.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "down the divide", ensure that the context clearly establishes what two entities are separated. This provides clarity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "down the divide" when referring to trivial disagreements. The phrase is most effective when describing significant, deeply rooted separations or disparities. It should not be used for minor disagreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "down the divide" functions as a prepositional phrase that often modifies verbs implying action or change. It indicates a direction or focus towards lessening a separation. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is commonly used to describe efforts to reduce disparities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "down the divide" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase that describes actions taken to reduce or eliminate separation between entities. Ludwig's analysis suggests its most common use in news and media, academia and wiki contexts, highlighting efforts to reconcile differences. The phrase is suitable for neutral to formal registers. While "down the divide" is considered usable in written English, there are alternatives such as ""across the divide"" or "bridging the divide".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

across the divide

Focuses on bridging the gap between two distinct entities or groups.

bridging the divide

Emphasizes the act of connecting or reconciling differing sides.

closing the gap

Highlights the reduction of disparities or inequalities.

overcoming the separation

Stresses the action of conquering or surpassing a state of being apart.

narrowing the divide

Implies reducing the extent of disagreement or difference.

mending the breach

Suggests repairing a broken relationship or fractured connection.

unifying the factions

Focuses on bringing together opposing groups into a cohesive whole.

reconciling the differences

Emphasizes the act of resolving conflicts or inconsistencies.

dissolving the boundaries

Highlights the removal of limitations or dividing lines.

integrating the segments

Suggests combining separate parts into a unified system.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "down the divide" in a sentence?

Use "down the divide" to describe actions or solutions aimed at reducing or eliminating separation between groups or concepts. For instance, "Education can help to bridge "across the divide" between socioeconomic classes".

Are there alternative ways to express the idea of overcoming separation, similar to "down the divide"?

Yes, phrases like "bridging the divide", "closing the gap", or "mending the breach" can be used to convey the same general concept, depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "down the divide"?

Yes, the phrase "down the divide" is grammatically correct and idiomatic when used to describe an action that diminishes a separation or gap. Ludwig confirms this through numerous real-world examples.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "down the divide"?

The phrase "down the divide" is best suited for discussions about social, political, or economic separations. It often appears in news, academic, and business contexts where significant gaps or differences are being addressed.