a separate item

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a separate item" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an individual object or element that is distinct from others in a list or collection. Example: "Please make sure to include a separate item for each category in your report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that accounting relied on a contentious tactic: lumping teacher pensions, previously a separate item, with each school district's budget.

The New York Times - Magazine

Why are Hillary Clinton's emails a separate item from the server on which those emails were hosted?

The Washington Post

When the user conducts a search, each article appears as a separate item within the search result.

Cornell University

The checklist has a separate item for a vehicle's "foul interior odors", which Bloomfield says may include gasoline, vomit or mildew.

The Guardian

Under the Grassley-Baucus proposal, beneficiaries could obtain drug coverage as a separate item from government-subsidized "prescription drug plans," which cover pharmaceutical costs and nothing else.

The New York Times

If a problem is found by these simple checks you need to decide if the seal can be replaced as a separate item or not.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The American Car Rental Association and Hertz, a nonmember, continue to press still more legislatures to permit the passing along of the licensing fee as a separate item.

The New York Times - Travel

Similar to the 2011 plans, we are including this category as a separate item in the "Total Number of Excepted FTEs" chart.

The Washington Post

A cable operator may designate that portion of a subscriber's bill attributable to the franchise fee as a separate item on the bill.

Cornell University

In Europe, despite the fact that in 1864 an eight-foot-long rubber-tipped pencil was carried in a parade honoring Lothar Faber, the German pencil king, the eraser is more likely to be sold as a separate item.

The New Yorker

In the single-trial analysis, no averaging was performed over the six trials of the same target object, but each trial using a unique clue triplet was considered a separate item.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a separate item" when you want to emphasize that something should be considered individually, even if it's part of a larger whole. For example, in financial reports, list each expenditure as "a separate item".

Common error

Avoid using "a separate item" repeatedly within the same paragraph or section. Overuse can make your writing sound monotonous. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "distinct element" or "individual component" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a separate item" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object. It identifies a distinct element or component within a larger context. Ludwig shows this in various examples, highlighting its role in categorization and specification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a separate item" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the distinctness of an individual element within a group or system. Ludwig's analysis indicates it functions as a noun phrase, typically serving to clarify details or structure information. The phrase exhibits a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, including news, academic, and scientific writing. While "aiResponseStatus" from SEARCH_DATA confirms its usability, varying your language with synonyms like "distinct element" or "individual component" can enhance writing clarity and engagement. Its frequent occurrence across reputable sources underscores its reliability and broad acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an individual component

Replaces 'item' with 'component' focusing on the part of a larger system.

a distinct element

Uses 'distinct' and 'element' to emphasize uniqueness within a set.

an isolated entity

Highlights the self-contained nature of the item.

a standalone object

Emphasizes the item's ability to function independently.

a discrete unit

Uses 'discrete' to stress the item's separateness and indivisibility.

an independent entry

Focuses on the item's role as a record or listing on its own.

a detached piece

Highlights that item has been removed or is physically separate from something.

a segregated element

Implies element has been kept apart intentionally.

a unique article

Stresses the particularity and individuality of the item.

a self-contained detail

Highlights that a detail is complete and independent.

FAQs

How can I use "a separate item" in a sentence?

You can use "a separate item" to indicate something is distinct or individually considered. For example: "Each task in the project should be treated as "a separate item" for tracking purposes."

What are some alternatives to "a separate item"?

Alternatives include "an individual component", "a distinct element", or "a standalone object", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a separate item" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something should be considered individually, even if it's part of a larger group or system. This is particularly useful in contexts like accounting, project management, or scientific analysis.

Is there a difference between "a separate item" and "an individual item"?

While both phrases suggest distinctness, "a separate item" often implies that the item is being considered apart from others in a specific context, whereas "an individual item" simply emphasizes its unique identity.