section off

USAGE SUMMARY

"section off" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to the act of separating part of a larger entity into smaller sections. For example, "We need to section off this room for our meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Additionally, a solution is proposed to section off, from the logical structure, so called voting zones to significantly reduce the risk of causing false alarms.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

Divide hair over your crown and clip the lower section off with a crocodile clip, or other large clip.

WikiHow

Take the currently accessed section off the section stack.

Yale University

Most of Somerset's condominiums are in the Quailbrook section off New Brunswick Road.

The New York Times

Erecting more barricades to section off parts of the city has been proposed by some officers.

The New York Times

Friends urged them to simply section off the dining room and use that as a bedroom.

The New York Times

Sorry.In this section Off the map Correction How young is too young?

The Economist

The only distraction was the gabbing of politicians, who stood in a restricted section off to the side.

The New Yorker

Instead, as his biographer Christopher Hibbert relates, they ripped a section off and stuffed pieces of it into their jackets.

The New Yorker

We are in the Data by Source partition of the Finding Data section off the main Data Library page.

Columbia University

Section off a playful playspace.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "section off", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being separated and the purpose of the separation. For instance, instead of just saying "section off the area", specify "section off the area for the children's play area".

Common error

Avoid using "section off" without specifying the reason for the separation. For example, instead of "they sectioned off part of the room", specify "they sectioned off part of the room to create a temporary office space".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "section off" functions primarily as a transitive verb, indicating the act of dividing or separating something into distinct areas. This can be inferred from Ludwig's examples, where it is used to describe physically dividing spaces or logically separating concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

28%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "section off" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term that signifies dividing or separating something into distinct parts or areas. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to describe the action of creating divisions, whether physical or conceptual. It appears frequently in Wiki, News & Media, and Academic contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When using "section off", clarity is key: always specify what is being separated and the purpose behind it. Alternatives like "divide up" or "separate out" may be suitable substitutes depending on the nuances you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

portion off

Focuses on dividing into distinct portions or allotments.

divide up

Emphasizes the action of distributing into separate parts.

separate out

Highlights the act of distinguishing and removing something from a larger group.

cordon off

Implies creating a barrier to isolate an area, often for security or control.

partition

Suggests creating divisions within a space using physical barriers.

mark off

Focuses on indicating boundaries or limits of an area.

split up

Emphasizes the act of separating into multiple independent parts.

isolate

Highlights the separation of something to prevent interaction or influence.

segregate

Implies separating groups or entities, often with social or political implications.

demarcate

Focuses on clearly defining the boundaries or limits of something, often in a formal or official context.

FAQs

How can I use "section off" in a sentence?

You can use "section off" to describe the act of dividing or separating an area or space. For example, "The construction workers had to section off the damaged part of the road."

What are some alternatives to using "section off"?

Some alternatives to "section off" include "divide up", "separate out", or "partition" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "section off" and "cordon off"?

"Section off" generally means to divide or separate, while "cordon off" typically implies creating a barrier, often for security or to restrict access.

When is it appropriate to use "section off" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "section off" when you want to describe the act of creating distinct areas or divisions, whether physically or conceptually. This could be in describing a physical space, like "section off the garden", or an abstract concept, like "section off different research topics".