divide
/dɪˈvaɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈvaɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /də-ˈvīd/ (ame, mw)
divide — verb
- dividepresent simple I / you / we / they
- divideshe / she / it
- dividedpast simple
- dividing-ing form
1. to break something into several separate pieces, sections, or groups, or for som
to break something into several separate pieces, sections, or groups, or for something to come apart naturally.
Apinya divided the cake into eight equal pieces so that everyone got a slice.
transitive: divide + object + into + [number] + parts
The teacher divided the class into four small groups for the science fair.
Eli took the scissors and divided the sheet of paper into two long strips for his art project.
When the road divides near the lake, take the left path towards the camping site.
The children divided the LEGO bricks between the two boxes.
文法句型
divide + object + into + parts
divide + object + between/among + people/places
subject + divides (intransitive — roads, groups)
用法筆記
Frequently used with into to specify the resulting parts. With between/among, the focus is on distribution across recipients or locations rather than the act of cutting.
常見錯誤
2. to make the people in a group hold different opinions about an issue, often crea
to make the people in a group hold different opinions about an issue, often creating two opposing sides.
The question of school uniforms divided the parents' committee deeply.
transitive: [issue] + divides + [group]
Opinions are divided on whether the old park should get a new playground.
passive: opinions + are divided + on + [issue]
The proposed changes divided the staff into supporters and those who opposed them.
The community was divided over whether to build a new shopping mall.
- unite
bring people together around a common view
文法句型
divide + [group] + into + [opposing sides]
be divided + over/about/on + [issue]
用法筆記
Commonly appears in the passive voice (be divided) or with a direct object that is a collective noun (community, committee, family, staff, party). Frequently followed by over, about, or on to name the issue.
常見錯誤
3. when a physical feature like a wall, road, or river runs between two places, it
when a physical feature like a wall, road, or river runs between two places, it creates a clear separation between them.
A narrow stream divides the two farms that have been in the family for generations.
divide + [two things] — no from needed
The main road divides the residential area from the business district.
divide + [area A] + from + [area B]
A low stone wall divides the Watanabes' garden from their neighbour's yard.
The mountain range divides the coastal region from the inland plains.
The river divides the old town from the new shopping centre.
- separate
broader; works for both physical and abstract separations
- mark the limit of
descriptive phrase; less common as a single verb
文法句型
divide + [area A] + from + [area B]
用法筆記
Subject is almost always a physical feature (fence, wall, river, road, mountain). Not used for abstract boundaries (use separate instead).
常見錯誤
4. to give portions of something to several people so that everyone receives a fair
to give portions of something to several people so that everyone receives a fair part.
Christopher and his brother divided the household chores equally between them.
divide + object + equally + between + [two]
The prize money was divided among the three winners of the contest.
passive: was divided among + [group of three+]
The children divided the sweets after the birthday party.
The landlord divided the profits from the farm with the workers each season.
- share
softer, more general; less emphasis on exact portions
- distribute
more formal; can be systematic or official
- allocate
formal; emphasizes assigning for specific purposes
文法句型
divide + object + between + [two people/groups]
divide + object + among + [three or more]
用法筆記
Between is preferred when naming exactly two recipients; among is used for three or more. The object is typically a divisible resource (money, food, work, land).
常見錯誤
5. to work out how many equal groups a quantity can be split into by a particular a
to work out how many equal groups a quantity can be split into by a particular amount — for instance, splitting twelve into groups of three gives four groups.
The teacher showed the class how to divide 24 by 6 using plastic counters on the table.
pattern: divide + number + by + divisor
Divide a pizza into eight slices and each piece is one eighth of the whole.
divide + object + into + number + parts
Ravindra divided the camping cost by five so everyone paid the same share.
The children learned to divide on paper before using calculators.
- multiply
the inverse mathematical operation
文法句型
transitive: divide + number + by + number
intransitive: number + divides into + number
用法筆記
The standard preposition after a number is "by": divide 12 by 3 (not "with" or "on"). When describing the result, use "into": 12 divides into 3 equal groups.
常見錯誤
6. to choose how much attention, effort, or other limited resources to put toward e
to choose how much attention, effort, or other limited resources to put toward each of several different tasks or activities.
Ritu divides her time between studying law and working at a café.
divide + time + between + [two activities]
You need to divide your energy carefully across all the tasks today.
Gabriel divided his attention between the phone call and the soup he was cooking.
The manager divided the team's budget among three different marketing campaigns.
- concentrate
focus all resources on one activity
文法句型
divide + [time/energy/attention/resources] + between + [activities]
用法筆記
Object is usually an abstract resource: time, energy, attention, budget, effort. Typical pattern is divide [resource] between [two activities] or among [several].
7. to deliberately create conflict among the people or groups you lead as a way of
to deliberately create conflict among the people or groups you lead as a way of stopping them from joining forces against you, so you hold on to your authority.
The dictator used divide and rule to stop ethnic groups from uniting against him.
fixed phrase: divide and rule
The manager gave each team different details and divided the staff to protect his authority.
divide + people + and + consequence clause
Some politicians deliberately divide communities along religious lines to preserve their own influence.
A good leader unites people, but a selfish leader divides them to stay in charge.
- split up
less deliberate; can be neutral or physical separation
- set against each other
emphasises the conflict created between the parties
- unite
bring together as one group — the opposite goal
文法句型
divide + people / group + to infinitive
用法筆記
Often appears in the fixed strategy phrases "divide and rule" or "divide and conquer." The object is typically a group, community, or organization that could otherwise unite against an authority.
常見錯誤
8. when a larger amount can be evenly split by a smaller amount, leaving no extra p
when a larger amount can be evenly split by a smaller amount, leaving no extra portion — for instance, six goes into eighteen three times with nothing left over.
Bilal checked whether 7 divides into 28 — it does, exactly four times with no remainder.
pattern: number + divides into + number (intransitive)
Elena has 36 cupcakes for her 9 guests — she checks whether 9 divides into 36, then gives 4 to each person.
pattern: number + divides into + number (intransitive, concrete scenario)
The teacher asked students to list all whole numbers that divide into 30 evenly.
The 20 students at the debate club split into pairs — 2 divides into 20 with none left over, making 10 teams.
- remain
what happens when the division is not exact — there is a leftover amount
文法句型
number + divides into + number
用法筆記
This sense is always intransitive and takes "into": the smaller number divides into the larger one. The focus is on whether the operation yields an exact whole number, not on performing the calculation (see sense 8 for the calculation itself).
常見錯誤
9. when members of a law-making body walk into separate groups to record their vote
when members of a law-making body walk into separate groups to record their votes for or against a proposal.
The House of Commons divided on the proposed tax reform late last night.
The House + divides + on + [issue]
After hours of heated debate, the members divided and the Speaker announced the result.
The parliament divided at nine o'clock, with a clear majority in favour of the bill.
The members divided on the education amendment just before the session ended.
- vote by division
the full procedural term; not a single verb
文法句型
The House/Parliament + divides + (on + [issue])
用法筆記
Restricted to parliamentary procedure, primarily in British and Commonwealth political systems. The verb is always intransitive in this sense. Never used for ordinary voting.
常見錯誤
divide — noun
- dividesingular
- dividesplural
1. a noticeable difference or gap between two groups, ideas, or situations that kee
a noticeable difference or gap between two groups, ideas, or situations that keeps them apart from each other
The growing divide between the rich and the poor is a problem in many countries.
collocation: growing divide
Bridging the digital divide in rural areas remains a key challenge for the government.
collocation: digital divide / bridge the divide
Femi noticed a clear divide between what the company promised and what it actually delivered.
A cultural divide separated the two neighboring villages for generations.
The study found a sharp divide in attitudes between younger and older employees.
- gap
more concrete; can refer to physical spaces or abstract differences
- difference
more neutral; does not necessarily imply separation or opposition
- chasm
stronger, more dramatic; suggests a very wide or deep separation
- unity
the state of being joined together as a whole
文法句型
the divide between [noun] and [noun]
用法筆記
Frequently used with adjectives such as 'growing', 'sharp', 'clear', 'deep', 'wide'. The noun is almost always singular in this sense.
常見錯誤
2. a strong disagreement that separates groups of people and creates tension or hos
a strong disagreement that separates groups of people and creates tension or hostility between them
The proposed policy opened a deep divide among members of the city council.
deep divide among [group]
Devika tried to heal the divide between the two departments after months of arguments.
heal the divide between [group] and [group]
The ethnic divide in the region has led to years of mistrust and occasional violence.
A religious divide runs through the country, affecting everything from politics to education.
The divide over immigration policy shows no sign of narrowing anytime soon.
- consensus
general agreement among a group
文法句型
the divide between [group] and [group] over [issue]
用法筆記
Unlike the 'difference' sense (sense 1), this sense always involves emotional tension or active hostility between groups. Frequently found in political, social, and organisational contexts. Common collocating verbs: 'heal', 'widen', 'deepen', 'create', 'open up'.