apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "apart" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the separation or distance between two or more people, objects, or ideas. For example, "The couple grew apart after months of arguing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I know that that this means to offer the right hand of friendship to keep the left hand free to deliver the knockout blow to break Britain apart.

The Guardian

Things fell apart.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Apart from a few mental errors I'm playing OK," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

George Osborne, the chancellor and first minister, has ensured his northern powerhouse plan has a slot, but the number of cities apart from Greater Manchester that will want to be run by a directly elected mayor is currently small.

The Guardian

I have no knowledge of him apart from the fact that he hired a vehicle in this county".

The Guardian

Apart from two years under the Liberals between 1916-18, the seat was represented by the Conservatives up until 1997, when Richard Allen won it for the Liberal Democrats, subsequently handing it to rising star Clegg in 2005.

The Guardian

The government used question time to pressure Labor to pass the carbon tax repeal package while Labor concentrated on picking apart the effect of the Abbott budget on the hypothetical family on $65,000.

The Guardian

"We put our phones and iPads upstairs and then I went round and turned absolutely everything off at the socket, apart from the fridge-freezer and the smart energy monitor.

The Guardian

Quite apart from most players detesting such pitches, a handful of key England performers, including Steph Houghton, the influential captain, are still working their way back to match fitness following lengthy lay-offs and would have much preferred the rather more forgiving feel of grass beneath their feet.

The Guardian - Sport

This approach continued unabated on Question Time, with the two main party leaders – and, adorably, Nick Clegg – kept as far apart as possible; each appearing in their own hermetic little 28-minute capsule, surrounded by an audience whipped into a state of apoplexy by its own self-righteousness.

The Guardian

Clegg said: "A party legitimately cannot govern a whole nation – the UK – if they want to break that nation apart.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "apart" to indicate something being broken or disassembled. For instance, "The machine fell apart after years of use."

Common error

Avoid writing "a part" when you mean "apart". "A part" is a noun phrase meaning a piece of something, while "apart" is an adverb indicating separation. For example, it's correct to say "The two houses stood far apart", not "a part".

Linguistic Context

The adverb "apart" primarily functions to indicate separation, distance, or being aside, as affirmed by Ludwig. It modifies verbs and clauses, specifying the manner or condition of being separate. For example, "They lived miles apart."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Travel

5%

Opinion

5%

Books

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "apart" is a versatile term used to indicate separation, distinction, or being aside in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is frequently used in news, sports, and lifestyle articles. To ensure clarity, avoid confusing "apart" with the noun phrase "a part". When seeking alternatives, consider options like ""separately"", "aside", or "asunder" based on the specific nuances you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

separately

Focuses on the act of considering or treating things individually rather than together.

aside

Emphasizes setting something or someone to one side or out of the way.

asunder

Highlights a more forceful or violent separation into pieces.

distanced

Indicates a deliberate action to create emotional or physical distance.

isolated

Suggests a state of being alone or far from others.

removed

Implies a taking away or distancing from a particular place or situation.

detached

Highlights a lack of emotional involvement or connection.

excluded

Focuses on the act of preventing someone or something from entering or participating.

independently

Emphasizes the state of not being dependent on something else.

in isolation

Highlights the condition of being alone or separated from others.

FAQs

How do I use "apart" to show separation?

Use "apart" as an adverb to indicate physical or conceptual separation. For example, "The desks were arranged far apart", or "The two ideas should be considered "separately"".

What's the difference between "apart" and "a part"?

"Apart" is an adverb signifying separation or distance. "A part" is a noun phrase that means a piece or component of something. Ensure you use the correct form based on your intended meaning.

Which prepositions commonly follow "apart"?

"Apart from" is a common phrase, meaning except for or besides. For example, "Apart from the rain, the trip was enjoyable". You can also use "apart" to describe physical separation, without a preposition, such as "The friends grew apart over time".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "apart from"?

You can use phrases like "except for", "besides", "aside from", or "with the exception of" as alternatives to "apart from" depending on the context.