这些动词均含“分配，分发”之意。
assign ：指按照某种原则进行的硬性分配，也不一定是很公平的。
- The two large classrooms have been assigned to us.
这两间大教室分配给了我们。 - The teacher assigned a different task to each of the children.
老师给每个儿童布置的作业都不相同。
distribute ：通常指以整体或定量分为若干份来分配。
- The organization distributed food to the earthquake victims.
这个机构向地震灾民分发了食品。 - The newspaper is distributed free.
这份报纸免费发送。
divide ：普通用词，侧重将某物分成若干份分配给他人，当某物一分为二时，含平均分配之意。
- Jack divided up the rest of the cash.
杰克把余下的现金分了。 - We divided the work between us.
我们共同分担这项工作。
allocate ：主要指金钱、财产、权力或领土等的分配，着重分配的比例和专门用途。
- They intend to allocate more places to mature students this year.
今年他们打算给成人学生提供更多的名额。 - A large sum has been allocated for buying new books for the library.
已划拨了一大笔款子给图书馆购买新书。
