rive

IPA/raɪv/
IPA/raɪv/

rive — verb

  • rivepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • rives3rd person singular
  • riving-ing form
  • rivedpast simple

1. to violently pull, cut, or break something into separate pieces using very stron

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

to violently pull, cut, or break something into separate pieces using very strong force, so that the damage is deep and jagged

例句

The earthquake rived the ancient temple wall, leaving a jagged crack from floor to ceiling.

rive + direct object with natural force as subject

A single stroke of the axe rived the oak log cleanly in two.

rive + object + adverbial (in two)

同義詞
  • rend

    equally literary and forceful; suggests wrenching apart with visible emotion or violence

  • cleave

    archaic or poetic; typically implies splitting along a natural grain or line

  • split

    more neutral and common; lacks the violent connotation of 'rive'

反義詞
  • join

    to bring separate pieces together

  • mend

    to repair something that has been torn or broken

文法句型

rive + object

rive + object + adverbial (apart / in two / asunder)

用法筆記

The past participle 'riven' is far more common than the simple past 'rived' in both literary and modern usage. The simple past 'rived' is extremely rare outside of historical texts.

常見錯誤

❌She rived the envelope open with her finger.
✅She tore the envelope open with her finger.
💡'Rive' describes violent, forceful tearing, not everyday paper-tearing. Use 'tear' or 'rip' for ordinary actions.
❌The cloth rived when I pulled it.
✅The cloth tore when I pulled it.
💡'Rive' is always transitive (requires an object) and is too formal for cloth; use 'tear' or 'rip.'

2. to cause deep, lasting disagreement among the members of a group, splitting them

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to cause deep, lasting disagreement among the members of a group, splitting them into hostile or opposing factions

例句

The party was riven by a leadership crisis and split into two warring factions.

passive: 'was riven by' + source of division

The committee was riven by Erik's controversial proposal, with half the members walking out.

passive: 'was riven by' + proposal as cause

同義詞
  • split

    less dramatic and more neutral than 'rive'; common in both formal and everyday contexts

  • divide

    the neutral default; lacks the irreparable damage implied by 'rive'

  • fracture

    similar strength to 'rive'; often used for political or social divisions

反義詞
  • unite

    to bring people together after disagreement

  • reconcile

    to restore friendly relations between opposing sides

文法句型

rive + group + into [factions/groups]

riven by [conflict/disagreement]

riven with [dissent/tension]

用法筆記

Almost exclusively appears in the past participle form 'riven' (e.g., 'a society riven by class conflict'). The simple past 'rived' is vanishingly rare for this figurative sense. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 takes a collective human group as object (party, committee, community), never a physical object.

常見錯誤

❌The argument rived the two friends.
✅The argument divided the two friends.
💡'Rive' implies deep schism within a group or community, not a falling-out between individuals. Use 'divide' for smaller-scale disagreements.