Separate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Separate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of dividing or distinguishing between things or concepts. Example: "Please separate the documents into two categories: urgent and non-urgent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Washington Post article published on Wednesday revealed vague details of a police document that quoted a prisoner who had been placed in the same police van as Gray – though in a separate compartment – as saying Gray had been "trying to injure himself".

The Guardian

Al-Qaida's goal of creating an Islamic caliphate spanning the Muslim world is limited to a pocket of lawless boltholes controlled by separate factions.

The Guardian

"Its time to properly separate refugees from immigration policy.

The Guardian

With about 30 minutes to go before Hill was injected with a fatal dose of the sedative pentobarbital, two separate courts stepped in to impose a temporary delay in the proceedings.

The Guardian

Andrew McAleer was granted a temporary protection order from Rice in January 2013, which was subsequently rescinded by a separate judge following a full hearing.

The Guardian

It's telling that they then say, in regard to American Sniper, "I can separate out the politics from the filmmaking".

The Guardian - Film

A separate USAid database shows the agency awarded about 14% of its mission funding through local organisations in 2012.

The Guardian

In addition, the overemphasis on the local man and woman underlines another important axiom about Irish elections: they are in fact 43 separate byelections, often fought on localised issues.

The Guardian

Mote was suspended from Ukip in 2004, shortly after he was elected, when the party discovered he was facing separate charges for benefit fraud.

The Guardian

In what appears to be a separate altercation a few minutes later, Bristol Palin approached Klingenmeyer saying that she was going to "beat that girl's ass".

The Guardian

Can they separate these by their economic and social impact?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Separate" as an adjective, ensure it clearly modifies the noun it precedes. For instance, "separate entrances" is clearer than "entrances that are separate."

Common error

Avoid using "separate" multiple times in the same sentence or paragraph. This can make your writing repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "distinct", "independent", or "isolated", depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The word "Separate" serves multiple grammatical functions: as a transitive verb (to divide into parts), an adjective (not connected), and occasionally a noun (an item sold individually). Ludwig indicates its versatility across various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Lifestyle

18%

Business

8%

Less common in

Travel

5%

Opinion

5%

Music

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Separate" is a versatile word used as a verb, adjective, and noun to convey the concept of division, distinction, or independence. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and very common in English, with a neutral register that makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, lifestyle, and business. While versatile, avoid overuse and consider synonyms to maintain writing clarity and conciseness. Examples from Ludwig highlight its extensive use in reputable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Divide

Focuses on the act of splitting something into parts.

Distinguish

Emphasizes recognizing differences between items.

Isolate

Highlights setting something apart from others.

Detach

Implies disconnecting or unfastening.

Segregate

Suggests creating distinct groups or areas.

Set apart

Emphasizes highlighting uniqueness.

Disjoin

Highlights the action of breaking a connection.

Dissociate

Focuses on breaking an association.

Compartmentalize

Implies dividing into distinct categories or sections.

Decouple

Highlights the act of making independent or distinct.

FAQs

How can I use "Separate" in a sentence?

You can use "Separate" in many contexts. For example, you might say "Please separate the recyclable items from the trash" or "I try to keep my personal life "separate from work"".

What are some alternatives to the word "Separate"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "divide", "distinguish", "isolate", or "detach" as alternatives to "Separate".

Is it correct to say "Separate out"?

While "Separate" and "Separate out" can sometimes be used interchangeably, "Separate out" often implies a more deliberate or careful selection process. For instance, "Separate the good apples" vs. "Separate out the best apples".

What is the difference between "Separate" and "Segregate"?

"Separate" generally means to divide or keep apart, while "Segregate" often implies a more systematic or discriminatory separation, particularly of groups of people. "Separate" is more neutral and widely applicable.