that is divisive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that is divisive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that causes disagreement or conflict among people or groups. Example: "The new policy proposed by the management is that is divisive and has sparked heated debates among the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Yet Mr Brown is an uncompelling election-campaigner and has a leadership style that is divisive and confrontational, to say the least.

The Economist

Supporters of ag-gag laws are right that our treatment of animals is a hard problem that is divisive — and often leaves us internally divided — and too often oversimplified.

The New York Times

Although Turner's vast column inches may appear heartfelt, the tone of her pieces are unnerving and alarmist using language that is divisive and trivialises the role of a parent.

The Guardian - Opinion

America spends $400 billion–or about 4% of gross domestic product –on its public schools, and for this ton of cash it gets an education system that is divisive, poorly run, politicized and intentionally fragmented for patronage purposes.

Forbes

If my coming out (if we're going to call it that) is divisive?

Huffington Post

They promote a culture that is divisive and intolerant to marginalized communities.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"That's the kind of language that's divisive," he said.

The New York Times

We are not the first band in history that were divisive".

The Guardian - Music

"It's not a piece of clothing that's divisive, or causing separation or segregation," says Khazir.

The Guardian - Film

And the selection of those criteria, as well as their application, inevitably pose problems that are divisive.

The New York Times

"It's meant to please a crowd, it's not this great controversial work of art, like 'Black Swan,' that's divisive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that is divisive" when you want to objectively describe something that causes disagreement or separation among people or groups. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being divided and why.

Common error

Avoid using "that is divisive" excessively in highly emotional or argumentative writing, as it can come across as accusatory or dismissive. Instead, focus on explaining the specific reasons for the division or disagreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that is divisive" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something as causing disagreement or separation. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in diverse contexts, aligned with its grammatical purpose as evaluated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that is divisive" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to describe something causing disagreement or separation, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse contexts, though overuse in emotionally charged writing should be avoided. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase serves to objectively categorize subjects as potentially contentious. Alternative phrasing, such as "that causes friction" or "that polarizes opinions", can provide nuanced expression while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is contentious

Highlights the disputable nature of the topic.

that generates disagreement

Directly states the creation of disagreement.

that causes friction

Focuses on the friction or tension created, rather than the division itself.

that breeds conflict

Highlights the conflict-generating aspect of the issue or statement.

that sparks controversy

Implies the ignition of a dispute.

that creates schism

Emphasizes a significant division or split, often within a group.

that polarizes opinions

Focuses on the creation of opposing viewpoints.

that incites opposition

Focuses on the act of provoking resistance.

that foments discord

Highlights the stirring up of disagreement or strife.

that is alienating

Emphasizes the isolating effect of the issue.

FAQs

How can I use "that is divisive" in a sentence?

You can use "that is divisive" to describe topics, actions, or statements that cause disagreement or separation. For example, "The proposed policy change is "contentious" and is that is divisive among the team members".

What's a more formal alternative to "that is divisive"?

In formal contexts, you might use phrases like "that generates disagreement" or "that is "polarizing"" to maintain a professional tone.

How does "that is divisive" differ from "that is controversial"?

"That is divisive" specifically implies separation or disagreement, while "that is "that is controversial"" indicates that something is subject to public debate or disagreement, but not necessarily causing division.

Is it always negative to say something is "that is divisive"?

While often used in negative contexts, describing something as "that is divisive" is primarily descriptive. The impact depends on the context and whether the division is seen as constructive or destructive.