Divide the cake into three. ==> Is this sentence correct?

[chitos00]

Divide the cake into three. ==> Is this correct?

Divide the cake into three slices.


Among the two, which one is correct? Are the two sentences correct?

Thank you. :up:

 

[Tarheel]

"Cut the cake into thirds" is better.

 

[chitos00]

Thank you


"Divide the cake into three." is correct.

But, "Cut the cake into thirds." is better.


Is that what you mean?

 

[Tarheel]

I have never heard the word "divide" used in that context.

 

[Tdol]

Divide is not grammatically wrong, but it is not natural. You could also say cut the cake into three (pieces/slices).

 

[emsr2d2]

"Divide it into three" is pretty common in BrE. I use it. It doesn't necessarily mean the same as cutting it into thirds. The assumption with the latter is that the thirds are of equal size. If you cut a cake into three, there could be three completely different sized pieces.

 

[Tdol]

It doesn't hit the spot for me- divvy it up would. It may be a regional difference.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd use "divvy it up" too but I've always been under the impression that "divvy" (in that context) is derived from "divide".

 

[Tdol]

It is, but it sounds natural in a way that divide doesn't to me.