are two separate things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are two separate things" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to clarify that two items or concepts being discussed are distinct from one another. Example: "While both options have their merits, they are two separate things that should be considered independently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"They are two separate things.

The New York Times

These are two separate things.

The Guardian - Sport

Playing outdoors and indoors are two separate things.

The Guardian - Sport

"The fee and the class are two separate things," Mr. Okun said.

The New York Times

"The reasons I use drugs, and where and how I use drugs, are two separate things.

The Guardian

"But as you can also see in China, they are two separate things.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The Gates Foundation comes from a world where it looks as if government, charity, and business are three separate things.

The Guardian

"Anarchism, 'black bloc' and violence are three separate things," said Ryan Lash, 26, from Washington, referring to a tactic in which participants wear black and sometimes damage property.

The New York Times

When the accountant at the center of this novel is fired, he begins a curious new life, involving a bungee jumper, performance art and a blue movie (these are three separate things).

The New York Times - Books

Riviera, who moderates an otherkin Facebook group, says that for him and many other otherkins, the animal, sexual, and gender identity are three separate things.

Vice

That those were two separate things.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that the distinction you're making is genuinely significant and relevant to your overall argument. Avoid stating the obvious.

Common error

While "are two separate things" is useful for clarification, overuse can make your writing repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "are distinct entities" or "are unrelated matters" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are two separate things" functions as a predicate nominative, linking the subject (two or more entities) to a noun phrase that renames or describes it. Ludwig AI shows this is used to draw a distinction between items that may be confused.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

13%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are two separate things" serves as a crucial tool for clarity in communication, effectively delineating between concepts or entities that might be mistakenly conflated. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase enjoys widespread use across diverse contexts, ranging from news media to academic discourse. While grammatically straightforward and broadly applicable, remember that alternatives like "are distinct entities" can add nuance and prevent repetition. Employ this phrase judiciously to ensure precision and forestall misunderstandings, but always consider the broader context to tailor your language for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are distinct entities

Emphasizes the individuality and non-overlapping nature of the two things.

are unrelated matters

Highlights the absence of any connection or relevance between the two things.

are independent considerations

Stresses that each thing should be evaluated on its own merits, without influence from the other.

are not interchangeable

Indicates that the two things cannot be used or considered equivalent to each other.

are different in nature

Points out a fundamental difference in the characteristics or essence of the two things.

should not be conflated

Warns against mistakenly combining or treating the two things as the same.

bear no relation

Emphasizes the complete lack of any link or association between the two things.

do not correlate

Highlights that there is no statistical or causal connection between the two things.

occupy separate spheres

Suggests that the two things exist in completely different domains or areas of activity.

belong to different worlds

Indicates a stark contrast in the environment, context or framework of the two things.

FAQs

How can I use "are two separate things" in a sentence?

You can use "are two separate things" to emphasize that two concepts or items are distinct and should not be confused. For example: "Believing in something and proving it "are two separate things"".

What's the difference between "are two separate things" and "are two different things"?

While similar, "are two separate things" often implies that the items are mistakenly considered the same, while "are two different things" simply highlights their dissimilarity. For instance, you might say "apples and oranges "are two different things"", but "intent and impact "are two separate things"" when discussing accountability.

What can I say instead of "are two separate things"?

You can use alternatives like "are distinct entities", "are unrelated matters", or "are independent considerations" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to clarify that two concepts "are two separate things"?

No, only use the phrase when there's a risk of confusion or when you need to emphasize the distinction between two concepts that are often mistakenly linked. Otherwise, it might be redundant.