Cool MateDivide vs Split them up
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Divide
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Split them up
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Divide
| Divide | Split them up | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈvaɪd/","/dɪˈvaɪdz/","/dɪˈvaɪdɪd/","/dɪˈvaɪdɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈvaɪd/","/dɪˈvaɪdz/","/dɪˈvaɪdɪd/","/dɪˈvaɪdɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //splɪt ðɛm ʌp//🇺🇸 //splɪt ðɛm ʌp// |
| Meaning | To separate something into parts or groups. | To separate or divide a group. |
| Example | It's important to divide the tasks among all team members to ensure efficiency. | The teacher decided to split them up into smaller groups for the project. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | broadly, roughly, exactly, into, divide in two, equally, among, between, equally, among, between, bitterly, deeply, seriously, be divided about something, be divided on something, be divided over something | split them up into teams, split them up for clarity, split them up evenly, split them up by age, split them up for the activity |
| Antonyms | unite, combine, merge | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Divide' is often confused with 'split' but they have different contexts., Learners sometimes forget to use an object, e.g., they say 'I want to divide' but forget what to divide., 'Divided by' is sometimes mixed up with 'divided from.' | Using 'split' without 'them' when speaking about groups., Confusing with 'split up' which can imply ending a relationship., Not using the plural form when referring to multiple entities. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in both everyday and academic contexts. It’s appropriate for discussing numbers, ideas, or groups. Less formal contexts might use 'split' instead. | Used in various contexts, often informal. Avoid in highly formal writing. Common for discussions of relationships or tasks. |
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Frequently asked questions: Divide vs Split them up
What's the difference between Divide and Split them up?
Divide: To separate something into parts or groups. Split them up: To separate or divide a group.
Which is more common: Divide and Split them up?
Divide is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Divide: It's important to divide the tasks among all team members to ensure efficiency. Split them up: The teacher decided to split them up into smaller groups for the project.
Can I use Divide and Split them up interchangeably?
Not always. Divide and Split them up are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.