apart by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apart by" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely a confusion with "apart from" or "set apart by," which are more commonly used. Example: "The two communities were set apart by their cultural differences."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several characters are torn apart by mobs.

The Guardian

Valencia got sliced apart by Villarreal.

The Guardian - Sport

"Things Fall Apart," by Chinua Achebe.

The New York Times - Books

I was ripped apart by the audience.

The Guardian - Books

Then in 1967, Detroit was torn apart by urban riots.

Stanford University

Last book read: "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe.

Cornell University

The stage was swiftly kicked apart by plainclothes officers.

The New York Times

VILLAGERS THEATER "Lips Together, Teeth Apart," by Terrence McNally.

The New York Times

They'd been taken apart by Eibar, defeated 3-0.

The Guardian - Sport

The son had been torn apart by shellfire in Homs.

The Washington Post

They had to be pulled apart by teammates.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "apart by" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "separated by", "distinguished by", or "set apart by" to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "apart by" when "apart from" is intended. "Apart from" means "except for" or "besides", while "apart by" is generally ungrammatical when indicating separation or distinction. Ensure you're using the correct preposition for your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apart by" functions as a prepositional phrase, intending to describe a relationship of separation or distinction. However, its usage often deviates from standard grammatical conventions, as noted by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

26%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "apart by" appears in a variety of sources, including news and academic contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's better to opt for alternatives such as "separated by", "distinguished by", or "set apart by" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. When writing, be mindful of the intended meaning and choose the preposition that best conveys the relationship between the elements you're describing. Despite its frequency, prioritize grammatical correctness for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

separated by

Replaces "apart by" with a more grammatically correct term indicating physical or conceptual division.

divided by

Similar to "separated by", this term emphasizes the act of dividing or distinguishing.

distinguished by

Highlights the unique characteristics that set something apart.

set apart by

Indicates that something is made distinct or noticeable due to specific qualities.

isolated by

Suggests a separation that leads to being alone or detached.

defined by

Emphasizes how certain traits or conditions delineate something.

characterized by

Focuses on the specific attributes that define something and make it distinct.

marked by

Indicates that something is noticeable or distinguishable due to certain features.

differentiated by

Highlights the differences that make something not the same as others.

segregated by

Implies a more formal or enforced separation.

FAQs

What is a correct alternative to "apart by"?

Correct alternatives to "apart by" include "separated by", "distinguished by", or "set apart by", depending on the intended meaning.

How can I use "separated by" correctly in a sentence?

Use "separated by" to indicate a physical or conceptual division. For example, "The two countries are separated by a mountain range."

When should I use "set apart by" instead of "apart by"?

Use "set apart by" to highlight unique qualities that distinguish something. For instance, "Her talent was set apart by her dedication."

Is "apart by" ever grammatically correct?

While "apart by" appears in some contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's best to use more accepted phrases like "separated by" or "distinguished by" to ensure clarity and correctness.