split up

USAGE SUMMARY

"split up" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to describe an instance of people or things separating. For example, "My parents split up when I was four years old."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They had split up.

The New York Times

Or split up?

Independent

They split up.

The New Yorker

The brothers then split up.

The New York Times - Magazine

They split up in 2001.

Independent

Sash and me split up.

The New Yorker

So the band split up.

Independent

"We split up after that.

Independent

Or if you split up?

Independent

"Then we got split up".

Independent

(And they split up).

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "split up" to describe the end of a relationship or the division of a group into smaller parts. It is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "split up" when referring to physically dividing an object. Use "split" or "divide" instead. For example, say "split the pizza" instead of "split up the pizza."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "split up" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, indicating separation or division. Ludwig shows its usage in contexts ranging from relationships ending to groups dividing. It can also be used transitively, such as "split up the work".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "split up" is a versatile phrasal verb denoting separation or division. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and commonly used expression. It appears most frequently in News & Media, offering a neutral way to describe everything from relationship endings to the division of teams or resources. While alternatives such as "separate" or "break up" exist, "split up" remains a widely understood and appropriate choice across various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

separate

Focuses on the act of becoming or being apart.

break up

Specifically refers to the ending of a romantic relationship.

disband

Refers to the ending of a group or organization.

break apart

Emphasizes the force or impact involved in separating.

dissolve

Suggests a gradual disintegration or termination.

part ways

Emphasizes a mutual decision to go in different directions.

divide

Implies separating into multiple parts or sections.

scatter

Suggests dispersing in different directions, often randomly.

decouple

Implies the removal of a connection or link between two things.

disunite

Highlights the loss of unity or cohesion.

FAQs

How to use "split up" in a sentence?

You can use "split up" to describe the end of a romantic relationship, like "They "broke up" after five years of dating", or to describe a group dividing into smaller groups, like "The team "divided" into smaller teams to cover more ground."

What can I say instead of "split up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "separate", "break up", "disband", or "part ways".

Is it correct to say "splitted up" instead of "split up"?

No, "splitted up" is not grammatically correct. The past tense and past participle of "split" is "split", so the correct phrase is "split up".

What's the difference between "split up" and "split"?

"Split" generally refers to dividing something into parts, while "split up" often refers to the ending of a relationship or the division of a group. For example, you might "split" a bill, but a couple would "split up".