actually separated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "actually separated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is truly or genuinely separated, often in contrast to a previous assumption or belief. Example: "Despite their close friendship, they are actually separated by thousands of miles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

He also said that Mr. Crespo "actually separated the fight".

The New York Times

The new location represents the first time that Britain has actually separated, by statute, rather than convention, its judiciary from its legislature.

The Guardian

The I.R.S. rejected Ms. Reyes's application for the credit but at trial produced no evidence to support its position that she and her husband had not actually separated.

The New York Times

The chef David Bouley's famous potato purée, he said, contained so much butter that the mixture actually separated during service, with a layer of butterfat floating on top.

The New York Times - Food

"The key remaining question," he said, "is 'Why did they make the Qwikster decision in the first place?' " Netflix said it never actually separated the services or started Qwikster.

The New York Times

"I feel very lucky to have met Leonard at that time of my life," says Ms. Ihlen, who met him early in the 1960s and heard him singing "So Long Marianne" well before they actually separated.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Little actually separates Prime Minister Zapatero's economic policies from those of Mr. Aznar.

The New York Times

Actually, separating at the rate of a centimetre or so each year.

The Guardian - Music

"The curd actually separates better than it would have done if the milk hadn't been steamed with the coffee machine," says McMaster.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When Taylor testified, White's attorney, Toney Redman, asked her, "Can you actually separate today what you remember from the night this happened and what was suggested to you to help you remember what happened that night?" "No," she replied.

The New Yorker

While it doesn't actually separate into robotic component lions, it does stand up.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "actually separated" to clarify situations where a separation might not be immediately obvious or expected, adding emphasis to the reality of the division.

Common error

Avoid using "actually separated" redundantly when the separation is already clear from the context. This can weaken your writing and make it sound less confident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actually separated" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a state or action where something is divided or disconnected. The word 'actually' serves as an adverb, emphasizing the reality or truth of the separation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "actually separated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize a state of division or disconnection. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct. It finds common use in news, science, and formal business contexts, often serving to clarify situations where separation may not be immediately apparent. When using "actually separated", remember that while it is important to emphasize a division, avoid using it redundantly. Consider alternatives like "genuinely divided" or "distinctly isolated" for varied expression. In summary, use "actually separated" judiciously to reinforce the reality of a division.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely divided

Emphasizes the authentic nature of the division.

truly partitioned

Highlights the real separation between elements.

factually segregated

Focuses on the objective reality of the separation.

in reality, detached

Highlights the detachment as a real state.

distinctly isolated

Emphasizes the clear and separate nature of the isolation.

effectively disconnected

Focuses on the practical impact of the disconnection.

veritably split

Stresses the truth of the split.

categorically differentiated

Emphasizes the clear and distinct differences.

authentically divorced

Highlights the genuine nature of being divorced or separated.

tangibly disjointed

Emphasizes the palpable disconnection between elements.

FAQs

How can I use "actually separated" in a sentence?

You can use "actually separated" to emphasize a real division or distinction, such as "Despite appearing similar, the twins were "actually separated" at birth".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "actually separated"?

Alternatives include "genuinely divided", "truly partitioned", or "distinctly isolated" depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "separated" and "actually separated"?

Yes, adding "actually" emphasizes that the separation is real or factual, possibly contrary to a previous assumption or appearance. It adds a layer of confirmation to the separation.

When is it appropriate to use "actually separated" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight or confirm a division or disconnection that might not be immediately apparent, or when clarifying a situation where there could be doubt or misunderstanding.