keep them divided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep them divided" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the idea of maintaining separation or disunity among a group of people or things. Example: "To prevent collaboration, the manager decided to keep them divided during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Keep them divided".

The New York Times

Leaders from Ivan the Terrible to Peter the Great to Joseph Stalin forced even their closest colleagues to drink to stupefaction to keep them divided and dependent — just as the state pushed vodka on its people to keep them off balance and subservient — while making a killing off the liquor that was killing their people.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The researchers isolated so-called progenitor cells from each sample and were able to keep them dividing for more than half a year in culture.

Science Magazine

If growing divided orchids, keep them slightly drier and cooler than usual for a few weeks, to encourage the growth of new roots.

WikiHow

Despite threats from the studio (in that case Warner Brothers) to either keep them from working elsewhere or divide the group by firing the least prominent of the six, the cast members of "Friends" eventually won their salary demands.

The New York Times

In other words, CNA believes that the very organizations responsible for fairness in the workforce should actually divide workers and keep them from presenting a unified voice at the bargaining table.

Huffington Post

Additionally, print out two copies of all your travel confirmations and itineraries, divide them, and keep them safe in two locations, just in case you lose luggage or a bag gets stolen.

WikiHow

For example, if you're working with two even numbers, keep dividing them by 2 until one of them becomes odd or you can't simplify further.

WikiHow

Tools hang from a divided rack that keeps them neat.

The New York Times

These NRA antics were exactly the wrong way to bring Americans together -- but the right way for them to keep us divided and maintain the status quo.

Huffington Post

More often it's manufactured by the powerful and the privileged who want to keep us divided and keep us angry and keep us cynical because it helps them maintain the status quo and keep their power and keep their privilege.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep them divided" when you want to express maintaining separation among members of a group to prevent unity or collaboration. This construction is useful in political, social, and organizational contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "keep them divided" when the intention is simply to organize or categorize items or people. In such cases, phrases like "organize them separately" or "categorize them into groups" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep them divided" typically functions as a directive or description of a strategy. It indicates an action taken to maintain a state of separation or disunity within a group. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep them divided" is grammatically sound and serves to describe a strategy or action aimed at maintaining separation or disunity within a group. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in written English. The phrase commonly appears in news, wiki and science contexts, indicating actions taken to prevent unity, collaboration, or collective action. Alternative phrases, like "maintain their separation" or "prevent their unification", can be used depending on the nuance desired. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations where the intent is truly to maintain a division, avoiding its use when simply organizing or categorizing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain their separation

Focuses on maintaining a state of being separate, differing slightly in emphasis from the action of dividing.

keep them separated

Similar to "keep them divided" but emphasizes physical or conceptual separation rather than active division.

prevent their unification

Highlights the prevention of coming together, shifting the perspective to an action against unity.

maintain fragmentation within

Highlights preserving an existing fragmented state, suitable for describing systems or groups already broken into parts.

hinder their alliance

Specifically targets the obstruction of forming an alliance, more relevant in contexts of potential partnerships.

perpetuate their disunity

Focuses on the continuation of a state of disunity, implying an ongoing effort to prevent cohesion.

foment discord among them

Emphasizes actively creating disagreement and disharmony, implying a more deliberate and potentially malicious intent.

drive a wedge between them

Suggests creating a division or conflict between individuals or groups, often implying a pre-existing relationship.

block their collaboration

Specifically aims to stop cooperation or teamwork, useful in situations where collaboration is a potential or desired outcome.

ensure their segregation

Emphasizes the maintenance of distinct and separate groups, often with implications of inequality or discrimination.

FAQs

How can I use "keep them divided" in a sentence?

You can use "keep them divided" to describe actions taken to maintain separation or disunity within a group. For example, "The political strategy aimed to keep the voters divided along ideological lines".

What is a good alternative to "keep them divided"?

Alternatives include "maintain their separation", "keep them separated", or "prevent their unification", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "keep them dividing" instead of "keep them divided"?

No, "keep them dividing" suggests an ongoing action of separating, while "keep them divided" implies a state of being separated. The correct phrase depends on the intended meaning.

What does "keep them divided" mean in a political context?

In politics, "keep them divided" often refers to strategies used to prevent opposing groups from uniting against a common interest, thereby maintaining power or control.