segregate the crowd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "segregate the crowd" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where there is a need to separate or divide a group of people, often for safety or organizational reasons. Example: "In order to ensure everyone's safety during the event, we need to segregate the crowd into smaller groups."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He made no attempt to segregate the crowd at his inaugural address.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We can use the good and segregate the bad".

The Guardian

(The same formula applies to religions that segregate the sexes).

Vice

From the Zagat shopping survey: " 'Don't go over the holidays'whenen it's a zoo' and 'tourists move like snails.' ") Early opening hours would be a good way to thin the crowds, Schmults thought, and segregating the shoppers by place of origin would be "just kind of fun".

The New Yorker

He's considering segregating the stands.

Independent

Prices are segregating the city, friends tell us, in ways that it wasn't segregated before.

The New Yorker

The father segregates the food on his plate.

The New Yorker

Even women were asked to join, though they stood apart from the men, in segregated groups along the periphery of the crowd.

Vice

"The crowd at Ellis Park would have been segregated with just a very small section near the top reserved for nonwhites," said Sy Lerman, who covered the Davis Cup in 1974 for The Daily Mail in Johannesburg.

The New York Times - Sports

The crowd?

The Guardian - Sport

THE CROWD: Casual local crowd.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "segregate the crowd", be mindful of the potential negative connotations associated with the term "segregate", particularly in contexts related to race or social inequality. Consider whether a less charged term like "separate" or "divide" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "segregate" can carry negative implications, especially in historical and social contexts, it's not inherently negative. The key is the intent and context. Using "segregate the crowd" for safety reasons, like separating opposing sports fans, is different from using it to enforce discriminatory practices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "segregate the crowd" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "segregate" is the verb and "the crowd" is the direct object. Ludwig provides examples where "segregate" is used to describe the action of dividing a group, emphasizing a deliberate separation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "segregate the crowd" is a verb phrase used to describe the action of dividing a group of people, as confirmed by Ludwig. While grammatically correct, the term "segregate" can carry negative connotations. Therefore, it's important to consider the context and intent behind its use, as highlighted by Ludwig. Alternatives such as "separate the masses" or "divide the assembly" may be more suitable in certain situations. The phrase is relatively rare, predominantly appearing in News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Segregate attendees

Emphasizes the act of segregation of attendees.

Separate the masses

Focuses on physical separation but implies a larger, less defined group.

Divide the assembly

Suggests a more formal or organized gathering that needs to be split.

Partition the throng

Implies a dense crowd being divided into distinct sections.

Split up the gathering

Suggests dividing a group that has come together for a specific purpose.

Isolate the group

Highlights the act of setting a group apart from others, often for safety or control.

Section off the attendees

Emphasizes creating separate sections within an event or gathering.

Divide the people

Offers a more general way to describe separating a group of people, lacking the specificity of "crowd".

Delineate the crowd

Suggests a formal or official demarcation of the crowd.

Disperse the crowd

Focuses on causing a crowd to scatter or break up, not necessarily into defined groups.

FAQs

What does "segregate the crowd" mean?

The phrase "segregate the crowd" means to separate or divide a group of people into smaller, distinct groups, often for organizational, safety, or control purposes. The word 'segregate' can have negative connotations, so consider the context in which you use it.

Are there alternatives to "segregate the crowd" that avoid negative connotations?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "separate the masses", "divide the assembly", or "partition the throng" depending on the specific context and the size and nature of the crowd.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "segregate the crowd"?

It's appropriate when there's a need to create distinct groups within a larger gathering for reasons like safety, organization, or managing different activities or interests. However, always be mindful of the potential negative implications of the word "segregate".

How does "segregate the crowd" differ from simply "managing the crowd"?

"Managing the crowd" is a broader term that encompasses various techniques for controlling and directing a group of people. "Segregate the crowd" is a specific method of crowd management that involves dividing the crowd into separate groups, often based on certain criteria or needs.