to divide among

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to divide among" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to distributing something among multiple people or groups. Example: "We need to divide among the team the tasks for the upcoming project to ensure everyone has a fair share of the work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

positions to divide among the three Murdoch siblings who are engaged in the company.

The New Yorker

The almsgiving department is in charge of collecting taxes to divide among needy families.

The Guardian

She takes just one orange from a bag proffered to her to divide among her three young boys.

The Guardian

During World War I, European powers had held secret negotiations to divide among themselves the provinces of the Ottoman Empire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The high-risk money is on top of at least $1.5 billion that Congress is expected to divide among the states based on population.

The New York Times

As Nassau legislators decide how to dole out their money, Suffolk's 18 county legislators have $630,000 to divide among nonprofit organizations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

You've captured some booty, and you need to divide it among your crew.

The New Yorker

However, it can also employ people by encouraging employers to divide work among more workers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Negotiations are deadlocked, council members say, over how to divide power among groups from different regions.

The New York Times

The first is how to divide power among the various institutions of the EU, known collectively as "Brussels".

The Economist

WTI should have its debt repaid and there may be some additional proceeds to divide up among investors.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to divide among", ensure that the context clearly specifies what is being divided and who or what it is being divided among. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "to divide among" when referring to only two recipients. The preposition "among" is generally used for three or more entities; for two, use "between".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to divide among" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating the action of distributing or allocating a resource or item among multiple entities. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing numerous examples where the phrase is used to describe the act of sharing or apportioning something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to divide among" is a grammatically correct and commonly used infinitive phrase that describes distributing a resource among multiple entities. Ludwig AI supports this, showing many instances in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. It is crucial to differentiate its usage from "to divide between", which is reserved for only two entities. When using "to divide among", clarity regarding what is being divided and to whom is essential. While generally neutral, context dictates the overall formality. Using the correct alternative such as "distribute among" can help refine the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Distribute among

Uses a synonym for "divide", maintaining similar structure and meaning.

Share amongst

Replaces "divide" with "share" and "among" with "amongst", resulting in slightly more informal tone.

Apportion among

Uses a more formal term, "apportion", suggesting a precise allocation according to a plan.

Allocate between

Focuses on allocation, implying a more deliberate distribution process, and is used for two entities instead of multiple.

Disperse among

Implies spreading something widely, which can differ from the more controlled action of dividing.

Allot to each

Shifts the focus to what each individual receives, rather than the act of dividing the whole.

Give out to

Is a more informal way of saying distributing or dividing to a group.

Split between

Suggests an even or uneven split of elements between two, whereas the main query can be used with more than two entities.

Deal out to

Represents a more casual or informal way of distributing something.

Assign to

Emphasizes the act of assigning responsibility or ownership rather than merely distributing an amount.

FAQs

How can I use "to divide among" in a sentence?

Use "to divide among" to describe the act of distributing something among multiple recipients. For example, "The inheritance was "to be divided among" the heirs".

What is a suitable alternative to "to divide among"?

Alternatives include phrases like "distribute among", "share between", or "allocate between", depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

When should I use "to divide between" instead of "to divide among"?

"To divide between" should be used when you are splitting something between two entities, while "to divide among" is used when there are three or more entities involved. For example, "divide the money between John and Mary" versus "divide the money "to divide among" John, Mary and Peter".

Is it ever incorrect to use "to divide among"?

Yes, it is generally considered incorrect to use "to divide among" when only two recipients are involved. In such cases, "to divide between" is the appropriate choice. However, when distributing to three or more recipients, "to divide among" is correct.