sectioned off by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sectioned off by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an area that has been divided or separated by a physical barrier or boundary. Example: "The garden was sectioned off by a low wooden fence, creating distinct areas for flowers and vegetables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The coronary arteries looked like sausage links, sectioned off by five narrow blockages.

The New York Times - Health

It was sectioned off by a shin-high fence made of broken sticks and lolling twine.

The New Yorker

And two small bedrooms can be sectioned off by shoji screens at the rear.

The New York Times

Five small rooms, sectioned off by curtains, fall back from the desk across a flecked linoleum floor.

The New York Times

I took them back to the changing area, which is just a narrow passage of wall space sectioned off by wood partitions.

The New York Times

Several employees are set up with laptops in what they call the "Salinger tent," a work area sectioned off by a floor-to-ceiling tarp with a quote from the opening of "The Catcher in the Rye" cut into it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The restaurant is huge -- a vast expanse of tatami mats sectioned off into smaller areas by slatted bamboo screens -- accommodating 220 people.

The New York Times - Travel

Indeed, the works are very hard to interpret: densely packed, starting well above eye level and extending up perhaps 30 feet, sectioned off into niches and chopped up by the columns.

The New York Times

Steel barricades lined the walls, sectioning off the area into squares marked by age and gender.

Huffington Post

A sitting area — sectioned off from the living room by cedar cabinets — has a built-in couch angled around a brick fireplace.

The New York Times

There was a small area sectioned off with signs and populated by paired-off, child-sized hula hoops for participants to sit as afternoon rush-hour traffic whizzed by.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, make sure that the 'section' is distinctly separate and physically different from the areas surrounding it.

Common error

Avoid using "sectioned off by" when the division is purely conceptual or lacks a tangible barrier. For intangible divisions, consider using "divided according to", "categorized by", or "grouped by" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sectioned off by" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase. It indicates how an area or space is physically divided or separated. Ludwig AI and the examples show it describes a space and its division, often using a specific element.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sectioned off by" is a prepositional phrase used to describe how an area is divided by a physical barrier. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in news, wiki, and scientific contexts. For more formal or restrictive closures, consider "cordoned off", while "divided by" offers a more general alternative when emphasizing separation. Ensure a tangible barrier is present to avoid misapplication, and appreciate its utility in describing spatial arrangements and divisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divided by

Focuses on the division aspect, omitting the physical barrier implied by 'sectioned'.

partitioned by

Highlights the creation of separate spaces or areas, similar to 'sectioned'.

separated by

Emphasizes the act of keeping things apart; less specific about the method.

demarcated by

Implies a clear marking or boundary, often more formal than 'sectioned'.

cordoned off by

Specifically refers to enclosing an area, often for safety or control.

enclosed by

Highlights the act of surrounding an area, indicating a complete barrier.

delineated by

Focuses on outlining or defining the limits of an area.

compartmentalized by

Emphasizes the division into distinct and often closed-off compartments.

isolated by

Highlights the act of setting something apart, often implying a negative connotation.

zoned by

Specifically refers to dividing an area for particular uses or regulations.

FAQs

How can I use "sectioned off by" in a sentence?

The phrase "sectioned off by" describes how an area is divided by a physical barrier. For example, "The garden was "sectioned off by" a low fence."

What are some alternatives to "sectioned off by"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "divided by", "separated by", or "partitioned by".

Is it correct to say "sectioned off from" instead of "sectioned off by"?

While "sectioned off by" specifies the dividing element, "sectioned off from" emphasizes the separation. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the barrier or the isolation.

When should I use "cordoned off" instead of "sectioned off by"?

"Cordoned off" implies a more formal or restrictive closure, often for safety or security, while ""sectioned off by"" simply indicates a division. Use "cordoned off" when there's a clear intent to restrict access.