Cool MateDivision vs Section
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Division
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Section
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Most common: Section
| Division | Section | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈvɪʒn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈvɪʒn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsekʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsekʃn/"]/ |
| Meaning | The act of separating things into parts or groups. | A part of something, like a piece of a whole. |
| Example | The division between the two teams was clear after the match. | Please complete the form and sign in the designated section. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | clear, simple, complex, make, division among, division between, division into, the division of labour/labor, the division of wealth, long, do, division by, bitter, deep, great, cause, create, provoke, division among, division between, division within, regional, international, multinational, command, head, lead, chief, commander, director, in the… division, first, high, junior, clinch, win, dominate, championship, crown, title, in the… division, clear, simple, complex, make, division among, division between, division into, the division of labour/labor, the division of wealth, clear, simple, complex, make, division among, division between, division into, the division of labour/labor, the division of wealth, bitter, deep, great, cause, create, provoke, division among, division between, division within | opening, concluding, final, dedicate, devote, add, leader, manager, in a/the section, in sections, under section, a section of society, opening, concluding, final, dedicate, devote, add, leader, manager, in a/the section, in sections, under section, a section of society, opening, concluding, final, dedicate, devote, add, leader, manager, in a/the section, in sections, under section, a section of society, opening, concluding, final, dedicate, devote, add, leader, manager, in a/the section, in sections, under section, a section of society, opening, concluding, final, dedicate, devote, add, leader, manager, in a/the section, in sections, under section, a section of society |
| Antonyms | union, integration, combination | whole, entirety |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'division' as an operation rather than a concept., Using 'divisions' when referring to a singular concept., Mixing up 'division' with 'division of labor' without context. | Using 'section' instead of 'segment' in the context of a physical object., Confusing 'section' with 'sectional' when describing furniture., Adding unnecessary plural forms like 'sections' when referring to a single part. |
| Usage notes | Use 'division' when talking about splitting larger groups or numbers into smaller sections. It's common in math and organizational contexts. Avoid using it in informal conversations unless referring to a specific subject. | Use 'section' when referring to a distinct part of a whole, such as a chapter in a book or a part of a document. Avoid using it in contexts where a more specific term could be clearer. |
Frequently asked questions: Division vs Section
What's the difference between Division and Section?
Division: The act of separating things into parts or groups. Section: A part of something, like a piece of a whole.
Which is more common: Division and Section?
Section is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Division and Section?
Division is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Division and Section the same CEFR level?
Division: B2, Section: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Division and Section?
Division: noun, Section: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Division: The division between the two teams was clear after the match. Section: Please complete the form and sign in the designated section.
Can I use Division and Section interchangeably?
Not always. Division and Section 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.