What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
divide
Example
Please divide the cake into equal pieces. [divide: verb]
Example
The profits will be divided among the shareholders. [divided: past participle]
Example
The issue has divided the community into two opposing sides. [divide: verb]
separate
Example
We need to separate the recyclables from the trash. [separate: verb]
Example
The company decided to separate its retail and wholesale divisions. [separated: past tense]
Example
The couple decided to separate after years of growing apart. [separate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Separate is more commonly used than divide in everyday language. Separate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while divide is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between divide and separate?
Both divide and separate can be used in formal or informal contexts, but divide may have a slightly more formal tone when used in the context of distribution or allocation.
