to divide between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to divide between" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct expression is "to divide among" when referring to distributing something among multiple parties. Example: "We need to divide the profits among the three partners."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

As he leaves he throws down a million dollars for the boys to divide between them.

The New Yorker

The portion of three meaty, tender ribs in a tasty glaze is hard to divide between two or four people.

The New York Times

This will give them up to a year's leave following the birth or adoption of their child, to divide between them.

The Guardian

Each parent is entitled to three months of parental leave; with an additional three months that parents can decide how to divide between themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the end, though, verdicts on her life tended to divide between those accustomed to the ways of princesses and those unable to see the point of them.

The Guardian

In Britain, philosophers tend to divide between academics who write for each other and meaning-of-life merchants who beam their reflections at the general public.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Our Founding Fathers saw fit to divide power between two strata -- state and federal.

Huffington Post

Ms. Cooke plans to divide her time between the two institutions.

The New York Times - Arts

He now needs to divide that up between departments.

The Guardian

He plans in future to divide his time between Havana and England.

The Guardian

They are trying to divide the cake between them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to more than two recipients, always use "among" instead of "between". For example, prefer "divide the inheritance among the children" over "divide the inheritance between the children".

Common error

A common error is using "between" when distributing something to more than two entities. "Between" is typically used for two items, while "among" is used for three or more. Therefore, avoid using "between" when "among" is the grammatically correct choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to divide between" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating an intention or action related to division. However, it's crucial to note that Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is not correct in standard English usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to divide between" expresses the intention to distribute something among recipients. However, Ludwig AI highlights that this phrase is grammatically incorrect, as "between" is typically used for two items, while "among" is used for three or more. Although examples can be found in news media, science, and formal business contexts, it is advisable to use "to divide among" for clarity and grammatical correctness. Consider alternatives like "to distribute among", "to share among", or "to allocate to each" for enhanced precision. When deciding whether to use such a phrasing, it's better to use the suggested alternative. Given its grammatical status, it is advisable to use the phrase "to divide between" with caution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to divide among

Replaces "between" with "among", the grammatically correct preposition for three or more recipients.

to split among

Uses "split" as a synonym for "divide" and uses "among" for multiple recipients.

to distribute among

Uses "distribute" instead of "divide", emphasizing the action of giving out, and uses "among" for multiple recipients.

to share among

Emphasizes the collaborative aspect of using something together, replacing "divide" with "share" and using "among".

to assign portions to

Highlights the act of assigning specific amounts or sections to individuals.

to allocate to each

Focuses on assigning portions individually, using "allocate" and specifying "each" recipient.

to apportion among

A more formal alternative to "divide", implying a careful and proportional distribution using "among".

to parcel out among

Emphasizes the act of dividing into portions and distributing them using "among".

to mete out among

Implies a measured or carefully controlled distribution using "among".

to disseminate among

Focuses on spreading or scattering something widely using "among".

FAQs

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

"Between" is generally used when referring to two distinct items or people, while "among" is used when referring to three or more. For example, divide the cake "among" the children.

What is the correct preposition to use after "divide" when referring to multiple recipients?

The correct preposition to use after "divide" when referring to multiple recipients is "among". Therefore, it's grammatically correct to say, "divide the tasks "among" the team members."

Is "to divide between" grammatically correct?

No, "to divide between" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The correct usage is "to divide among" when referring to more than two recipients. If you are referring to only two recipients then you can use to divide between them.

What are some alternatives to "to divide between" that I can use?

Some alternatives to "to divide between" include "to "distribute among"", "to "share among"", or "to "allocate to each"", depending on the context.