detach

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "detach" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to describe taking something away or separating it from something else. For example: "I had to detach myself from the situation in order to properly think about it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps that is television's other appeal at this time of year: a chance to mentally detach yourself from the madness and stop asking so many questions.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That soon, the Do Not Disturb signs dangling from the winter sarcophaguses of the upper class will detach and greet the budding city anew.

The Guardian - Opinion

And yet perhaps the salivating public isn't motivated by politics (indeed, the Palin family is no longer involved in political life) but because once invested in a "reality" narrative it is impossible to detach ourselves from the latest plotlines of our favourite players.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I think the problem is that, in 2011, I decided the best way to write the supposedly humorous newspaper columns increasingly requested from me was to detach myself from the process, to treat it not as an opportunity for impassioned thought, but as a professional problem to be solved.

The Guardian - Opinion

Several times, we felt components detach themselves from the undercarriage, and we'd watch as they clattered off down the road.

The Guardian - Travel

One can never entirely detach personal background and culture from ideology, much as the guests at that dinner party belly-ached about fellow members of their respective tribes.

The Economist

If he can detach academic excellence from the national obsession with poshness, he will be remembered as a revolutionary.

The Economist

But the amine-coated carbon is not so sticky, so the gas molecules soon detach, leaving the nanotubes clear to detect the next lot of errant gas.Because the detector is small and requires very little power, the team hopes it will be widely used in the sort of enclosed spaces where a gas attack would be most successful.

The Economist

And there is talk within the newly-formed Arab Quartet of moderate states (Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) that Syria should be included, partly to detach it from its ally, Iran.In this section A failed state that threatens the region The hogwash of quiet diplomacy Has he got away with it?

The Economist

A shroud protecting the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO), an American satellite intended to monitor levels of the gas, failed to detach as it was being carried into space.

The Economist

It puts recent swings on Wall Street in perspective, showing how financial markets periodically detach themselves from economic "fundamentals", often with alarming results.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "detach" in technical writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being separated from what. Specify the components involved for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "detach" when a more specific verb like "separate", "remove", or "isolate" would provide a clearer understanding. Overusing "detach" can lead to vagueness, especially in philosophical or abstract discussions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "detach" is as a transitive verb, indicating the action of separating something from something else. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that it's used to describe taking something away or separating it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "detach" is a versatile verb that describes the act of separating or disconnecting something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. When writing, remember to specify what is being detached from what for clarity, and avoid overuse in abstract contexts where more precise verbs might be suitable. Related alternatives include "separate", "remove", and "disconnect".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

separate

Focuses on the act of causing things to no longer be together.

disconnect

Implies breaking a connection, often electrical or metaphorical.

remove

Emphasizes taking something away from a fixed position.

unfasten

Suggests releasing something from being secured or joined.

disengage

Highlights withdrawing from an involvement or connection.

sever

Indicates a forceful cutting off or separation.

unbind

Focuses on the action of releasing from bonds or constraints.

unhitch

Implies releasing from a hitched or connected state.

isolate

Emphasizes setting something apart from others.

extract

Highlights the process of taking something out from a larger context.

FAQs

How can I use "detach" in a sentence?

You can use "detach" to describe physically separating something, as in, "Please detach the form at the dotted line", or metaphorically, as in, "It's important to detach yourself from the problem to see it clearly".

What words can I use instead of "detach"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "separate", "remove", "disconnect", or "isolate".

Is it correct to say "detach from" or "detach of"?

The correct preposition to use with "detach" is "from". For example, "Detach the trailer from the truck" is correct; "detach of" is grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "detach" and "disengage"?

"Detach" generally refers to physically separating something, while "disengage" often implies withdrawing from involvement or connection. For example, you might detach a wire, but disengage from a conversation.