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Prepositions after verbs

Subdivide into, by, for or in?

Subdivide is most commonly followed by into for parts or sections. By can describe the method of division.

Quick answer

Which preposition goes with subdivide?

Use subdivide into to name the smaller parts created by the division. Use subdivide by to explain the basis or method of division. Subdivide for is uncommon after the verb itself, and subdivide in is usually part of a separate place phrase rather than a fixed verb pattern.

The land was subdivided into six plots
The data can be subdivided by age group
The hall was subdivided into smaller offices

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
subdivide into + parts

Naming the sections created

Use into to introduce the new smaller units.

The region was subdivided into districts
The chapter is subdivided into three sections
2
subdivide by + criterion

Explaining the basis of division

Use by when the sentence focuses on the category or method used for dividing.

The results were subdivided by income level
We subdivided the files by department
3
subdivide in + place

Using in as a location phrase

In is not usually selected by subdivide. It can introduce a separate location phrase.

The company subdivided the property in the city centre
Several farms were subdivided in rural areas

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
subdivide into
The course is subdivided into modules.
standard pattern for naming the resulting parts
subdivide by
The survey responses were subdivided by region.
used for the criterion or method of division
subdivide for
The land was subdivided for commercial development.
for expresses purpose, not the parts created
subdivide in
Several lots were subdivided in the northern district.
in functions as a place phrase, not a fixed complement

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using by instead of into for the new sections

Use into when naming the parts created by the division.

✕ The report was subdivided by four chapters. ✓ The report was subdivided into four chapters.

Treating for as the normal complement

For usually expresses purpose after subdivide, not the result of division.

✕ The estate was subdivided for small plots. ✓ The estate was subdivided into small plots.

Confusing location in with the verb pattern

In often gives location information rather than completing the verb.

✕ The text was subdivided in three sections. ✓ The text was subdivided into three sections.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The island was subdivided ___ five administrative regions.
2. The statistics were subdivided ___ gender.
3. The land was subdivided ___ housing projects.

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Frequently asked questions

Is subdivide into the most common pattern?

Yes. Into is the standard choice when you name the smaller parts or sections.

Can I use subdivide by?

Yes. Use by when you explain the basis for the division, such as age, size, or region.

Is subdivide in correct?

Only in certain contexts. In usually introduces a place phrase rather than a fixed preposition after subdivide.

sack, by, sack, for, sack, from "sacrifice for" or "sacrifice to"? sail from, in, for, to or through? "salvage from" or "salvage in"? sanction by, for, in, with or according? satisfy with, by, in, about or after? "saturate with" or "saturate in"? save by, for, from, on or in? "say in", "say about" or "say to"? "scan for", "scan in" or "scan through"? "scar by" or "scar on"? scatter in, across, around, throughout or on?

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