What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
diverge
Example
The two roads diverged in a yellow wood. [diverged: past tense]
Example
Their opinions began to diverge as they discussed the topic further. [diverge: verb]
split
Example
She split the apple in half with a knife. [split: verb]
Example
The team split into two groups to work on different projects. [split: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Split is more commonly used than diverge in everyday language. Split is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while diverge is less common and often used in academic or intellectual contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between diverge and split?
While diverge is typically associated with a formal or intellectual tone, split is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.