riven

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "riven" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most often used as an adjective meaning torn or split apart. Example: "The walls of the city were riven by the force of the explosion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brčko is likely to remain a one-off, but its postwar history can teach us about the viability of "shared" cities in countries riven by ethnic conflict.

The Guardian

The strongest criticisms by inspectors were aimed at Oldknow, where they found evidence that the primary school was riven with "split loyalties and allegiances" among staff.

The Guardian

The Alan Parsons Project's Pyramid (1978) was fronted by portrait of a solitary figure in a hotel bedroom, riven with a huge abstract, blue blob of interference, as near to an approximation of a migraine as any visual artist has probably ever managed.

The Guardian - Music

Transporting heavy building materials across dirt streets riven with gullies and piled high with detritus is not easy, and theft of building materials is commonplace in Kibera.

The Guardian

The UKIP has been riven with dissent since last October's annual conference when its entire national executive committee was urged to resign, but refused.

The Guardian

The 50 best restaurants are chosen by a panel of 1,000 chefs, food writers and gastronomes, but Reyners says the voting process is riven with "conflicts of interest" and "cronyism" – "fishy" is the word she inevitably uses to sum it up.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The author of Ukip's general election manifesto has said the party should concentrate on "compassionate, centre-ground" policies, denying the party was riven with bitter infighting.

The Guardian

Georgia has had a turbulent post-Soviet experience, to put it mildly, beset by separatist conflicts in two territories, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and riven by a civil war that left the centre of the capital, Tbilisi, in ruins.

The Guardian

"Yet the Labour party in its present form, infiltrated by extremists, riven with factions, still stands upon the stage as the [principal] alternative to the Conservative party in governing Britain.

The Guardian

You'd think that for a such a lachrymose man, riven by longstanding doubts, his adopted home would be an ideal refuge.

The Guardian - Books

The coalition is riven by ideological splits and statehouse squabbles and Mr Anwar's legal troubles have unsettled it further.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "riven" to describe situations where there is a deep division or conflict that is causing significant damage or instability. It is particularly effective in conveying a sense of fragmentation or being torn apart by opposing forces.

Common error

Avoid using "riven" when a simpler term like "divided" or "split" suffices. "Riven" carries a stronger connotation of violence or deep-seated conflict and should be reserved for situations where this intensity is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

Adjectival Modifier: "Riven" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of being torn apart or deeply divided. Ludwig AI highlights its correctness and usability in written English, particularly as an adjective signifying something torn or split apart. Examples include "countries "riven" by ethnic conflict".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "riven", meaning torn apart or deeply divided, is deemed correct and usable in written English. Ludwig AI examples show it's most frequently used as an adjective to describe situations marked by deep division or conflict. Its high frequency in news and media sources indicates its relevance in contemporary discussions. While grammatically sound, writers should be mindful of the strong connotation of violence or deep-seated conflict associated with "riven", reserving it for contexts where this intensity is appropriate. Related terms include ""torn apart"", ""split asunder"", and ""wracked by"", offering nuanced alternatives for expressing division and discord.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

torn apart

Direct synonym, focusing on the physical act of tearing.

split asunder

Emphasizes a more forceful and complete separation.

wracked by

Indicates being severely affected or disturbed by something.

beset by

Focuses on being troubled or harassed persistently.

plagued by

Highlights the presence of continuous trouble or suffering.

fractured

Implies a breaking or cracking, often in a less violent manner.

divided

General term for separation into parts or groups.

afflicted by

Focuses on suffering from a particular problem or condition.

marked by discord

Highlights the presence of disagreement and lack of harmony.

suffering from infighting

Specifically refers to conflict within a group or organization.

FAQs

How can I use "riven" in a sentence?

You can use "riven" to describe something deeply divided or torn apart, such as "The nation was "riven" by civil war" or "The landscape was "riven" by deep canyons".

What words are similar to "riven"?

Similar words include "torn apart", "split asunder", "wracked by", and "fractured". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a riven society"?

Yes, "a riven society" is a correct and evocative way to describe a society deeply divided by conflict or disagreement.

What's the difference between "divided" and "riven"?

"Divided" simply means separated into parts, while ""riven"" implies a more forceful, violent separation or a deep, painful division.