they were divided

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were divided" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to two or more groups that are separated or split - for example, "The protesters were divided into two groups based on their beliefs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were divided, dejected, dismal.

The Guardian - Sport

And so they were divided.

The New Yorker

They were divided over state involvement.

The Guardian - Books

But they were divided in another respect.

The New York Times

They were divided into three groups.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, Republicans said they were divided on how to procede.

The New York Times

Then there is Miklós Bánffy's They Were Divided (Arcadia, £11.99).

The Guardian - Books

But before that, they were divided into four groups.

The New York Times

But they were divided on whether to support them.

The New York Times

They were divided into two parts -- 100 Percent Design (commercial in emphasis), and Designers Blockk (experimental).

The New York Times

C.D.O.s were particularly attractive to investors because they were divided into several risk categories.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were divided" when you want to emphasize a separation or split among a group, whether due to disagreement, categorization, or physical separation.

Common error

Avoid using "they were divided" when referring to a singular subject. The phrase implies a plural subject being separated into groups. Instead, use "it was divided" for singular subjects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were divided" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group underwent a separation or partitioning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. The examples show its utility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were divided" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate the separation of a group into smaller parts or categories. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and consider alternatives like "they were split" or "they were separated" for nuanced meanings. Avoid misusing it with singular subjects. This phrase carries a neutral register applicable to a wide variety of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were split

Indicates a separation into distinct groups, similar to "they were divided" but with a stronger emphasis on the act of splitting.

they were separated

Focuses on the physical or conceptual separation of the subjects. It's less about disagreement and more about being apart.

they were partitioned

Suggests a more formal or structured division, often used when discussing land, resources, or responsibilities.

they were grouped

Emphasizes the act of forming groups, differing from the sense of disagreement often implied by "they were divided".

they were classified

Highlights categorization based on specific criteria. Useful when subjects are divided according to predefined rules or characteristics.

they disagreed

Shifts the focus to disagreement, which might have caused them to be divided.

they were at odds

Focuses on the conflict or disagreement between them, implying a contentious division.

they were in disagreement

A more formal way to express that they did not agree, which could lead to a division.

they held opposing views

Highlights the difference in opinion or perspective, indicating a reason for potential division.

they had conflicting opinions

Similar to holding opposing views, this emphasizes the clash of opinions that led to division.

FAQs

How can I use "they were divided" in a sentence?

Use "they were divided" to indicate that a group was separated or split into different factions, categories, or sections. For example, "The students "they were divided" into groups for the project."

What's the difference between "they were divided" and "they were separated"?

"They were divided" often implies a reason for the separation, such as disagreement or categorization. "They were separated", on the other hand, simply means they were moved apart, without necessarily implying a cause. For instance, consider "The protesters "they were divided" by their differing goals" versus "The protesters "they were separated" by the police".

Is it correct to say "they was divided"?

No, "they was divided" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "they were divided", as "they" is a plural pronoun and requires the plural form of the verb "to be" (were).

What are some alternatives to using "they were divided"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "they were split", ""they were separated"", or "they disagreed".