What are the definitions of “divide up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Share.
They divided up the profits.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “divide up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb divide up is to share something among a group of people or to separate something into parts. For example, it can mean splitting the profits among business partners or dividing a cake into equal pieces.
What are the different verb forms of “divide up”?
| Root Verb | divide up |
| Third Person Singular Present | divides up |
| Present Participle | dividing up |
| Simple Past | divided up |
| Past Participle | divided up |
Example
We need to divide up the tasks among the team members.
Example
She divides up the chores between her children.
Example
They are dividing up the responsibilities for the project.
Example
Yesterday, they divided up the pizza equally among everyone.
Example
The inheritance was divided up among the siblings.
What kind of phrasal verb is “divide up”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“divide up” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
We divided up the money among the group.
Example
She divided the tasks up between her children.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“divide up” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
We divided up the money among the group.
Example
She divided the tasks up between her children.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “divide up”?
Good things to know
Does “divide up” have an informal or formal tone?
Divide up is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal settings, such as business meetings or academic discussions.
