splintering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "splintering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of breaking into smaller parts or factions, often used in contexts related to groups, ideas, or physical objects. Example: "The once united organization is now splintering into various factions, each with its own agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It does make one wonder, when they sound off about "the vast majority of the public", whether they have spent any time being part of that public before splintering off into its representative political wing.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the world's climate shifts to an El Niño, as is now expected, then there is a good chance negotiators could enter those Paris talks with the sound of splintering global heat records in their ears.

The Guardian

It states that developers can do whatever they want with the programs, even sell their own versions, as long as they make the source code available.Although this licence, called the General Public License (GPL), has never been enforced, it has done much to keep open-source software from splintering into competing commercial versions, open-source advocates say.

The Economist

Though the subsequent splintering of their gangs does not necessarily reduce crime, violence or the flow of drugs, analysts say the arrests send a strong message against impunity.Mr Gómez's arrest is particularly significant.

The Economist

And unemployment, inequality and even envy (of the unbottled sort) are all higher than the norm.In this section Budget surfeiting Bad days for piggybanks Near the buffers In Houdini's footsteps Witnesses to a death A contented moo The sewage war New York's splintering left ReprintsFertile ground, you might think.

The Economist

When the P5, as they are called, first grabbed the most powerful slots, the UN had 51 members; decades of decolonisation and splintering self-determination later, it has 192.

The Economist

But by midweek Mr Clinton showed no signs of heeding this advice, apparently determined to cling to his denials and escape anyway.In this section Budget surfeiting Bad days for piggybanks Near the buffers In Houdini's footsteps Witnesses to a death A contented moo The sewage war New York's splintering left ReprintsDenial has worked until now; but it is coming to seem reckless.

The Economist

Its alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is splintering.

The Economist

A house was lifted nearly whole by a wind-funnel, then dumped on top of another, splintering both into piles of debris.

The Economist

To his admirers, that is treason, and the Socialists should be expelled from government.Leaders of the Concertacion parties say that, for the first time, there is now a risk of their alliance splintering, but only a small one.

The Economist

If, however, Scotland votes for independence from the United Kingdom in its referendum on September 18th, that would provide a precedent in the European Union and boost Catalans' separatist passions.In the rest of Spain, where regional elections are scheduled for next May and general elections about six months later, the political establishment is splintering.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "splintering" to describe the division of a group, organization, or idea into smaller, often conflicting, factions. For instance, "The political party is splintering due to ideological differences."

Common error

While "splintering" is widely applicable, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or academic writing where more precise terms like "fragmentation" or "disintegration" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The term "splintering" primarily functions as a verb (present participle) or a gerund, describing an ongoing action of breaking apart or dividing into smaller factions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "splintering" is a grammatically correct and versatile term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, primarily used to describe the action of breaking or dividing into smaller parts or factions. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, but its usage extends to encyclopedias and formal business settings. While it's generally appropriate, avoid overuse in highly formal writing, opting for more precise alternatives like "fragmentation". Remember to use "splintering" to vividly portray the division and breakdown of entities, as shown in the various examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fragmenting

Emphasizes the breaking of something into smaller, disconnected pieces.

breaking apart

Focuses on the action of separating into distinct parts.

disintegrating

Suggests a gradual decay or decomposition into smaller components.

falling apart

Implies a state of disrepair or collapse.

coming undone

Highlights the loosening or unraveling of a previously cohesive entity.

splitting

Indicates a clean division into distinct sections.

dividing

Focuses on the creation of separate groups or factions.

separating

Stresses the act of becoming distinct or disconnected.

decomposing

Suggests a natural process of decay and breakdown.

collapsing

Implies a sudden and complete failure of structure or unity.

FAQs

How can I use "splintering" in a sentence?

"Splintering" can describe something breaking into smaller parts, like "The ice is splintering under my feet", or a group dividing, as in "The political party is "splintering" due to internal conflicts".

What are some alternatives to "splintering"?

Depending on the context, you could use "fragmenting", "dividing", or "breaking apart" as alternatives to "splintering".

Is it correct to say something is "splintering"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "splintering". It can be used as a verb (present participle of "splinter") or a noun describing the process of something being splintered.

What does "splintering" imply in a political context?

In politics, "splintering" often suggests that a party or movement is "dividing" into smaller, often competing, factions, weakening its overall strength and unity.