should be divided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be divided" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the necessity or recommendation of splitting something into parts or sections. Example: "The budget should be divided into three main categories: marketing, operations, and research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If there were two unsurpassable beings, however, our devotion and commitment should be divided between them.

SEP

The plants should be divided every three to four years.

The New York Times

Groups should be divided into 10 or fewer people.

Stanford University

In other words, the customers, not the companies, should be divided.

The New York Times

"We feel that the tax burden should be divided equally between the two townships".

The New York Times

And there is deep disagreement over how the oil revenues should be divided under any settlement.

The New York Times

Some argue that Iraq should be divided into three ethno-sectarian regions.

The Guardian - Opinion

But like all coral bells, they can and should be divided every few years.

The New York Times - Style

Contentious talks on how the fund should be divided will resume here today.

The New York Times

Democrats endorse that goal but disagree with Republicans on how the money should be divided up.

The New York Times

Mr. Beckstrom argues that those responsibilities should be divided among agencies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be divided", ensure the context clearly specifies the criteria or method for division. For example, clarify whether something "should be divided equally", "should be divided based on specific criteria", or "should be divided into specific categories".

Common error

Avoid using "should be divided" without specifying the basis or criteria for division. Simply stating that something should be divided without further explanation can lead to ambiguity and confusion. Always provide context or details on how the division should occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be divided" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating a recommended or necessary action to split something into parts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and usable phrase, and is employed to express a need for separation, allocation, or distribution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be divided" is a grammatically correct and frequently used modal passive construction that recommends or suggests splitting something into parts. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify the criteria or method for division to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like ""ought to be partitioned"" or ""needs to be separated"" can offer different nuances, but the key is to provide sufficient context for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be partitioned

Replaces "should" with "ought to", implying a moral obligation or duty, and "divided" with "partitioned", suggesting a more formal or structured separation.

needs to be separated

Emphasizes the necessity of separation, replacing "should" with "needs to" and "divided" with "separated", indicating a more critical or urgent requirement.

must be allocated

Focuses on allocation rather than division, replacing "divided" with "allocated", suggesting a distribution of resources or responsibilities.

should be apportioned

Suggests a fair or proportional distribution, replacing "divided" with "apportioned", implying a more equitable allocation based on specific criteria.

has to be split

Uses a more informal tone, replacing "should" with "has to" and "divided" with "split", suggesting a less formal or complex separation.

is to be distributed

Emphasizes the action of distributing something, replacing "should be divided" with a more descriptive phrase.

requires to be segmented

Suggests breaking something into distinct segments, often for analysis or targeted action.

demands to be categorized

Highlights the necessity of sorting items into categories, rather than simply dividing them.

warrants being split up

Implies that the action is justified or necessary, using a phrasal verb for a more informal tone.

is recommended to be sectioned

Indicates that dividing into sections is a suggested course of action, often in a structured manner.

FAQs

How can I use "should be divided" in a sentence?

You can use "should be divided" to express the necessity or recommendation of splitting something into parts or sections. For example, "The project tasks should be divided among team members" or "The cake should be divided into equal slices".

What are some alternatives to "should be divided"?

Alternatives include "ought to be partitioned", "needs to be separated", or "must be allocated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "should be divided"?

It's appropriate when indicating a recommended or necessary separation, allocation, or distribution of something. It's often used in contexts where fairness, efficiency, or organization are important considerations.

What's the difference between "should be divided" and "must be divided"?

"Should be divided" implies a recommendation or suggestion, while "must be divided" indicates a stronger obligation or requirement. The choice depends on the level of necessity or urgency you want to convey.