they were split

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were split" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when talking about a group that has been divided, separated, or otherwise split into two parts. For example: After months of disputes, the committee members were split in their decision to move forward with the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(They were split).

The New York Times - Sports

They were split 50/50".

The Guardian

They were split into three groups.

Harvard University

They were split up into 34 different groups.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They were split into one control group and one experimental group.

Computers & Education

Early in the new year, they were split three ways at a farmhouse in County Armagh.

The Guardian

They were split: Some thought she should not run again, while others expressed strong interest in her doing so.

The Washington Post

With the help of William BillLincolnoln, they got the goods to Enfield, where they were split up.

The Guardian

But House Republicans said they were split over how to finish the lame-duck session of the 106th Congress.

The New York Times

Jurors had indicated before they delivered any of their verdicts on Thursday that they were split on several charges.

The New York Times

There were 60 students in each group and they were split almost 50/50 male and female.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were split", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "they were split" when an active voice construction is more appropriate or direct. For example, instead of "they were split by the manager", consider "the manager split them".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were split" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group or entity underwent the action of being divided. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were split" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to describe the division or separation of a group or entity. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it's acceptable for use in a variety of contexts, ranging from news reports to academic papers. The analysis reveals that it is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly defines who or what "they" refers to. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "they were divided" or "they were separated" to add nuance or precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were divided

Focuses on the action of dividing something into parts, similar to splitting.

they were separated

Emphasizes the physical or conceptual separation of entities.

they were partitioned

Suggests a more formal or structured division, often used in political or geographical contexts.

they were fragmented

Implies a breaking into smaller, disconnected pieces.

they were cleaved

Suggests a sharp and decisive division.

they were bisected

Specifically refers to being divided into two equal parts.

they were divergent

Emphasizes that they are moving in different directions

they were at odds

Signifies disagreement or conflict rather than physical division.

their opinions differed

Highlights differences in opinion or viewpoint

they disagreed

Focuses directly on the lack of consensus.

FAQs

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

Use "they were split" to indicate that a group or entity has been divided into separate parts. For example: "After the argument, /s/they+were+split into two factions".

What does "they were split" mean?

It means that a group, set of items, or abstract concept has been divided or separated into distinct portions or categories.

What can I say instead of "they were split"?

You can use alternatives like "they were divided", "they were separated", or "they were partitioned depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "they were split"?

While "they were split" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, using the active voice might be more direct, such as "the manager split them". Choose the construction that best suits the context and desired emphasis.