Cool MateDivide vs Share
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Divide
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Share
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
| Divide | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈvaɪd/","/dɪˈvaɪdz/","/dɪˈvaɪdɪd/","/dɪˈvaɪdɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈvaɪd/","/dɪˈvaɪdz/","/dɪˈvaɪdɪd/","/dɪˈvaɪdɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃeə(r)/","/ʃeəz/","/ʃeəd/","/ˈʃeərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃer/","/ʃerz/","/ʃerd/","/ˈʃerɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To separate something into parts or groups. | To let someone use or have part of something that you have. |
| Example | It's important to divide the tasks among all team members to ensure efficiency. | I will share my toys with my friends. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | 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 | fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared, fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared, fully, equally, broadly, want to, would like to, be prepared to, among, between, in, widely shared |
| Antonyms | unite, combine, merge | hoard, keep, withhold |
| 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 'share' without an object (e.g., saying 'I will share' instead of 'I will share my lunch'), Confusing 'share' with 'sharpen', Incorrectly using 'share' as a noun rather than a verb (e.g., saying 'the share of the book' instead of 'the sharing of the book') |
| 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. | Use 'share' when talking about dividing resources or experiences. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English. Avoid in very formal contexts where more specific terms may be required. |
Frequently asked questions: Divide vs Share
What's the difference between Divide and Share?
Divide: To separate something into parts or groups. Share: To let someone use or have part of something that you have.
Which is more advanced: Divide and Share?
Divide is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Divide and Share the same CEFR level?
Divide: B1, Share: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Divide and Share?
Divide: verb, Share: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Divide: It's important to divide the tasks among all team members to ensure efficiency. Share: I will share my toys with my friends.
Can I use Divide and Share interchangeably?
Not always. Divide and Share 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.