sowing division

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sowing division" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or behaviors that create discord or conflict among people or groups. Example: "The politician's speech was criticized for sowing division among the community, rather than promoting unity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Mr Malema was suspended in November for tarnishing the party's image and sowing division.

The Economist

Instead, Mr. Saleh resorted to sowing division among the Yemeni people.

The New York Times

He was the worst "friend" the Palestinians ever had, sowing division as he preached unity.

The New York Times

ISIS and the other purveyors of terror are gradually succeeding in sowing division, bigotry, and fear.

The New Yorker

Giving in to hatred and sowing division only guarantees a spiral of violence – precisely what terrorists seek.

The Guardian - Opinion

"She is sowing division and making the outrageous claim that white voters won't vote for a black candidate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"This is an evil, this is a sickness within our Church: sowing divisions, sowing hatred, not sowing peace".

Huffington Post

He was found guilty of sowing divisions and bringing the 99-year-old party into disrepute.

The Guardian

War gripped Colombia for decades, forcing millions of women and families to flee their homes and sowing divisions that seemed insurmountable.

The Guardian

With gas prices currently low, Gazprom has in recent weeks been offering long-term supply contracts to individual EU countries such as Germany and the Netherlands, sowing divisions within the EU.

The Guardian - Business

Julius Malema, president of the ANC youth league, had already been suspended for five years for sowing divisions and bringing the party into disrepute.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sowing division", consider the intended impact and the responsibility associated with causing discord. Ensure the context aligns with the severity of the phrase's implications.

Common error

Avoid using "sowing division" when describing actions that unintentionally lead to disagreement. The phrase implies a degree of purposefulness, so choose more neutral language like "creating friction" if the intent is not malicious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sowing division" primarily functions as a verb phrase, typically used with a transitive verb indicating an action performed by a subject that results in discord or conflict. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily applicable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sowing division" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe actions that create discord or conflict. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is readily usable and well-understood in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as formal business contexts, it carries a neutral to slightly formal register. Related phrases include "creating discord" and "fostering conflict". When using this phrase, it's important to consider the intent behind the actions and avoid misattributing malicious purpose where it doesn't exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

creating discord

Focuses on the creation of disagreement and disharmony.

fostering conflict

Emphasizes the encouragement and development of conflict.

spreading dissension

Highlights the act of widely distributing disagreement and discontent.

inciting strife

Focuses on provoking conflict and animosity.

stirring up trouble

Emphasizes the act of instigating problems and difficulties.

planting seeds of discord

Uses a metaphor to describe the introduction of elements that cause disagreement.

fuelling animosity

Highlights the act of intensifying hostility and resentment.

aggravating tensions

Focuses on worsening existing strained relationships.

exacerbating conflict

Emphasizes the intensification of existing conflicts.

promoting disharmony

Highlights the encouragement of disagreement and lack of accord.

FAQs

How can I use "sowing division" in a sentence?

You can use "sowing division" to describe actions that create discord or conflict. For example, "The politician was accused of "sowing division" among voters with his inflammatory remarks."

What are some alternatives to "sowing division"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "creating discord", "fostering conflict", or "spreading dissension".

What's the difference between "sowing division" and "creating friction"?

"Sowing division" implies a deliberate or intentional act of causing discord, whereas "creating friction" suggests a less intentional or more incidental generation of disagreement.

Is "sowing division" a negative term?

Yes, "sowing division" typically carries a negative connotation, as it describes actions that undermine unity and create conflict. It is generally used to criticize or condemn such actions.