narrow the divide between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "narrow the divide between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts to reduce differences or gaps between two groups, ideas, or situations. Example: "The new policy aims to narrow the divide between urban and rural education resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Or it can involve making labour markets more flexible (Spain is trying to narrow the divide between well-protected permanent staff and lightly protected temporary ones).

The Economist

While such rhetoric is hardly out of character, it showed how the talks had failed to narrow the divide between Iran and the six world powers that are demanding curbs in its nuclear program.

The New York Times

Whatever one thinks of recent attempts to narrow the divide between academic and vocational qualifications, this document at least openly states the widespread preference for the former in "top" universities: "It is extremely important that you are aware that for several university courses … vocational qualifications are not considered to be suitable".

The Guardian - Opinion

While the federal Affordable Care Act is intended to narrow the divide between those with health care and those without, in its first day of operation the Web site aimed at helping consumers sign up for health insurance – Healthcare.gov – might have driven a larger wedge between technologically adept Americans and those who have yet to fully embrace the social Web and mobile technology.

The New York Times

Facebook and Apple have not come out and said this was an attempt to narrow the divide between opportunities for male and female employees.

TechCrunch

Facebook and Apple have not come out and said this was an attempt to narrow the divide between opportunities for male and female employees.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

After hip-hop impresarios narrowed the divide between popular music and blatant hucksterism, other popular musicians followed suit.

The New York Times

The Lilly forum succeeded in narrowing the divide between life and work, black and white, silence and innovation.

Huffington Post

Dallas is a conspiracy theorist whose bread and butter is narrowing the divide between news and entertainment sadly familiar in the era of fake news.

Vice

But the precise symbolism of bridges was often muddled, as activists also decried banking practices, called for more jobs and demanded a narrowing of the divide between the richest 1 percent of the population and the other 99 percent.

The New York Times

The findings, is believed, will assist the development of solutions to narrow the outcomes divide between remote and urban Australia and between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians, in case they exist.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific context when choosing between "narrow the divide between" and synonyms like "bridge the gap", as each carries slightly different connotations.

Common error

Avoid using "narrow the divide between" when the goal is complete elimination of differences, as the phrase implies a reduction rather than a total removal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrow the divide between" functions as a verb phrase that describes an action taken to reduce differences or inequalities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and highlights examples of initiatives aimed at bridging gaps.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "narrow the divide between" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for describing efforts to reduce differences or inequalities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with neutral register. While synonyms such as "bridge the gap between" and "close the disparity between" exist, "narrow the divide between" is a clear and effective choice for many situations. Remember to ensure that the entities being compared are clearly defined, and that the goal is reduction rather than complete elimination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bridge the gap between

Emphasizes connecting two distinct entities or viewpoints.

close the disparity between

Highlights reducing inequality or imbalance.

reduce the differences between

Focuses on lessening the variations between two things.

diminish the gap between

Suggests making the separation less significant.

lessen the divide between

A more direct synonym, focusing on reducing the separation.

ameliorate the separation between

Implies improving a negative separation.

reconcile differences between

Focuses on bringing two opposing sides into agreement.

unify disparate elements

Highlights bringing together separate parts into a whole.

integrate distinct groups

Focuses on combining separate populations or entities.

harmonize opposing viewpoints

Emphasizes creating agreement and balance.

FAQs

How can I use "narrow the divide between" in a sentence?

You can use "narrow the divide between" to describe efforts to reduce differences, such as "The new initiative aims to narrow the divide between rich and poor".

What's a good alternative to "narrow the divide between"?

Alternatives include "bridge the gap between", "close the disparity between", or "reduce the differences between".

Is it always appropriate to try to "narrow the divide between" things?

While often positive, attempting to "narrow the divide between" can be inappropriate if the differences are fundamental or based on ethical principles. Consider the context carefully.

What's the difference between "narrow the divide between" and "widen the divide between"?

"Narrow the divide between" suggests reducing differences, while "widen the divide between" implies increasing them. The choice depends on the intended meaning and outcome.