detached from

USAGE SUMMARY

"detached from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something or someone that no longer has a direct relationship or connection to someone or something else. For example: After the divorce, the children were detached from their father.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Huffington Post

Vice

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For the first time in my life I felt detached--detached from my family, detached from my traditional upbringing, detached from history.

Huffington Post

It became detached from people.

Independent

"He's detached from the people.

The New York Times

Her placenta had detached from her uterus.

The New Yorker

They're positive and detached from politics.

The New York Times - Books

Their ideology was profoundly detached from reality".

Independent

He's detached from his own words.

The New York Times

He seemed very detached from it all".

The New York Times

This critique is detached from reality.

The New York Times

But it is not detached from reality.

The Economist

I'm slightly detached from that.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "detached from" to describe a lack of emotional connection, physical separation, or intellectual distance. Ensure the context makes clear what is being detached from what.

Common error

Avoid using "detached from" when you simply mean 'uninterested' or 'lacking knowledge'. "Detached" implies a prior connection that has been severed, not merely a lack of initial engagement. For example, say "He is disinterested in politics" not "He is detached from politics" if he never cared about it in the first place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "detached from" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of separation, disconnection, or emotional distance. Ludwig indicates that it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

22%

Huffington Post

17%

Less common in

Vice

8%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The prepositional phrase "detached from" is a versatile expression used to convey separation, disconnection, or emotional distance. Ludwig confirms its correct and widespread use across diverse contexts, from describing emotional states to physical separations. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media, scientific publications, and personal blogs like Huffington Post. Alternatives include "separated from", "disconnected from", and "alienated from", each carrying nuanced differences. To ensure clarity, remember that "detached from" implies a prior connection that has been severed, rather than a mere lack of initial interest.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

separated from

Emphasizes physical or metaphorical separation.

disconnected from

Highlights a lack of connection or communication.

alienated from

Suggests a feeling of estrangement or isolation.

isolated from

Focuses on being set apart or removed from others.

disengaged from

Implies a withdrawal of involvement or interest.

removed from

Highlights the act of taking something away from a particular association.

independent of

Indicates a lack of reliance or dependence.

unconnected to

Focuses on the absence of a link or relationship.

divorced from

Implies a complete separation or split.

unrelated to

Highlights the absence of a connection or relevance.

FAQs

How can I use "detached from" in a sentence?

You can use "detached from" to describe a state of separation, either physically or emotionally. For example, "After the argument, she felt "detached from" her family" or "The island is "detached from" the mainland during high tide".

What is a good synonym for "detached from"?

Some synonyms for "detached from" include "separated from", "disconnected from", or "alienated from", depending on the specific context you're aiming for.

Is it correct to say "detached with" instead of "detached from"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "detached" in this context is "from". "Detached with" is grammatically incorrect and not standard English usage. Always use ""detached from"".

What's the difference between "detached from" and "isolated from"?

"Detached from" suggests a previous connection that has been severed or a sense of emotional distance. "Isolated from" implies a physical or social separation, often involuntary. For example, someone might feel "detached from" their emotions, while a remote village might be "isolated from" modern conveniences.