main divisions were

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "main divisions were" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the primary categories or sections of a particular subject or organization in a past context. Example: "The main divisions were finance, marketing, and operations, each playing a crucial role in the company's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Both of Credit Suisse's main divisions were profitable.

The New York Times

The company said in a trading update on its third quarter that the rest of its main divisions were performing "ahead of expectations" and that total profits would be up 5.0% year-on-year.

Forbes

The size of the teams was reduced and the previous studio's main divisions were merged.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Most Muslim priests attached to the main divisions are traditionally associated with the rulers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The company's three main divisions are Marketing Support for Pharmaceuticals Related Companies, Research and Other.

Forbes

Namely, alcohol dependence can be divided into several clinically and etiologically different subgroups, the main divisions being the Type 1 alcoholism characterized with later onset and little or no antisocial behavior, and Type 2 alcoholism, illustrated by an early onset, and a more severe course with higher levels of alcohol-related problems (Cloninger, 1987).

Alcohol and Alcoholism

The main division is over whether to split the small Himalayan country along ethnic lines.

The Economist

But the main division is between the empiricists who say "inflation is unlikely at 9 percent unemployment" and the theorists who say "inflation could bite us at any moment".

The New York Times

The main division is between Arabs and Kurds but the Kurdish community includes 350,000 Yazidis whose secretive faith incorporates Islamic, Jewish, Christian, Gnostic and Zoroastrian beliefs.

Independent

The main division is between per se predicaments and those not per se, i.e., between substance and accidents.

SEP

The main division is constructive vs. destructive and resembles Popper's distinction between apologetic and critical thought experiments.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "main divisions were", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being divided and the time frame to which 'were' refers. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "main divisions are" when discussing historical or past situations. The correct past tense form, "main divisions were", ensures accuracy and clarity in conveying information about past organizational structures or classifications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main divisions were" functions as a descriptive element, typically identifying and characterizing the principal components or categories within a larger entity or subject in a past context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English for this purpose.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "main divisions were" serves to identify principal categories or sections within a specific entity or subject in a retrospective context. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in written English for this purpose. Predominantly found in news, science and encyclopedic contexts, it maintains a neutral to professional register, suitable for formal communication and organized information presentation. The phrase is useful for providing a structured overview or classifying information, as seen in examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary subdivisions were

Replaces "main" with "primary" and "divisions" with "subdivisions", emphasizing the foundational aspect of the categorization.

principal categories were

Substitutes "divisions" with "categories", focusing on classification by type.

chief segments consisted of

Replaces "main divisions" with "chief segments", altering the phrasing to focus on compositional parts.

key components comprised

Changes "divisions" to "components", shifting the focus to essential elements that make up a whole.

major sections included

Emphasizes the presence of significant portions, using 'sections' as an alternative to 'divisions'.

fundamental groupings were

Highlights the essential nature of the arrangement, changing 'divisions' to 'groupings'.

core departments were

Specifically refers to organizational units, using 'departments' instead of 'divisions'.

essential constituents consisted of

Focuses on the vital parts forming a whole, swapping out 'divisions' for 'constituents'.

basic classifications were

Highlights the rudimentary categorizations, replacing 'divisions' with 'classifications'.

primary branches included

Uses "branches" instead of "divisions", implying a structure that grows or extends from a central point.

FAQs

How can I use "main divisions were" in a sentence?

Use "main divisions were" to describe the primary categories or sections of something in the past. For example, "The company's main divisions were marketing, sales, and research and development."

What phrases are similar to "main divisions were"?

Similar phrases include "primary categories were", "key sections were", and "principal components were". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "main divisions are" instead of "main divisions were"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "main divisions are" to describe current divisions, and "main divisions were" for past divisions. For example, "These main divisions are critical to the company's success." You would use the past form in a sentence such as, "The main divisions were reorganized last year".

What's the difference between "main divisions" and "subsidiaries"?

"Main divisions" refers to the primary sections or categories of an organization or topic. "Subsidiaries", on the other hand, refers to companies controlled by a parent company. While a subsidiary might be a main division, the terms are not interchangeable.