fragmented

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fragmented" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is broken into pieces or not cohesive, often referring to thoughts, ideas, or data. Example: "The report was fragmented, making it difficult to understand the overall findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over the course of the past five years Britain's electorate has become increasingly fragmented.

The Guardian

"Deteriorating relations between the US and Russia over Ukraine, the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and rifts between the backers of Syria's fragmented opposition have sapped hope that a meaningful political process can take place.

The Guardian

Tim Gentry, global revenue director at Guardian News & Media and Pangaea Alliance project lead, said: "As the world becomes more complex and networked, Pangaea will give advertisers one single programmatic solution for driving influence at scale, allowing them to get cut-through in an increasingly fragmented market using the latest ad serving technology.

The Guardian

I do not want to be part of a fragmented health service that places financial considerations above the needs of patients.

The Guardian

She said it would create an even more fragmented system with more costs and more opportunity for train operators to raise fares and close services.

The Guardian

But the big idea is "bringing together three fragmented services into a single service coordinating all of a person's needs – physical, mental and social".

The Guardian

In last year's production of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper, she built a film studio in miniature: a sound stage, a cinema screen, a booth in which a foley artist created live sound effects, and a cabin in which an actor voiced the main character's fragmented thoughts.

The Guardian

But foreign media firms have been slow to make big investments, opting instead for small stakes or licensing deals in a fragmented market dominated by regional language titles and family owned firms that are reluctant to cede editorial control.

The Guardian

As with car or home insurance, consumers are having to shop around frequently and use price comparison websites to get the best deals, with the fragmented market leaving some confused.

The Guardian

Brzezinski, of Polish origin, spoke of the dangers of resurgent, intolerant, nationalism in Europe, of the "chaos of religious fanaticism", of "restless and fragmented humanity".

The Guardian

In fact, a browse through the history of postwar elections in Britain suggests the next parliament will probably be the most fragmented in recent memory.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts like markets or political landscapes, use "fragmented" to highlight a lack of central control or unified direction.

Common error

Avoid using "fragmented" to describe something that is simply broken; consider more precise terms like "shattered" or "cracked" if the physical state is what you want to convey. "Fragmented" is more effective when emphasizing a lack of cohesion or unity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fragmented" is as an adjective, describing a noun as being broken into pieces or lacking cohesion. Ludwig indicates that this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fragmented" is a versatile adjective used to describe a state of being broken apart or lacking cohesion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. As seen in numerous examples, "fragmented" is particularly prevalent in news and media contexts to describe markets, political landscapes, and systems lacking central control. When using "fragmented", it's best to emphasize a lack of unity rather than a simple physical break. Alternative phrases like "disintegrated" or "disunified" can provide nuanced variations. By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and common usage contexts, writers can effectively employ "fragmented" to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disunified

Focuses on the lack of unity or cohesion, rather than a physical breaking apart, setting it apart from "fragmented".

disintegrated

Implies a more complete breakdown and loss of structure compared to "fragmented".

atomized

Highlights a breaking down into individual, disconnected elements, often with a connotation of societal or personal alienation, differentiating it from "fragmented".

splintered

Suggests a breaking into sharp, thin pieces, often associated with wood or brittle materials, unlike the broader application of "fragmented".

unconnected

Suggests a lack of relationship or association between elements, without necessarily implying a previous state of connection or wholeness like "fragmented".

segmented

Describes division into distinct parts or sections, which may not necessarily imply a lack of cohesion like "fragmented".

decentralized

Indicates a dispersal of power or authority away from a central point, which is a specific type of division unlike the broader sense of "fragmented".

scattered

Indicates a widespread distribution, lacking the inherent sense of a prior whole being broken apart as with "fragmented".

compartmentalized

Emphasizes separation into distinct, often isolated, categories or compartments, unlike the general disarray implied by "fragmented".

disrupted

Focuses on an interruption or disturbance of a system or process, whereas "fragmented" describes the state of being broken apart.

FAQs

How can I use "fragmented" in a sentence?

You can use "fragmented" to describe something broken into pieces or lacking cohesion. For example: "The data was fragmented and difficult to analyze."

What are some alternatives to the word "fragmented"?

Alternatives include "disintegrated", "disunified", or "segmented", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say a market is "fragmented"?

Yes, describing a market as "fragmented" means it is composed of many small competitors without a dominant player. This suggests a lack of consolidation and can influence market dynamics.

What's the difference between "fragmented" and "disorganized"?

"Fragmented" implies a breaking apart or lack of cohesion, while "disorganized" suggests a lack of structure or order. A "fragmented" system might have pieces that don't connect, while a disorganized system may simply lack a clear arrangement. You can also use "unstructured".