going apart

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going apart" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more people or things are separating or drifting away from each other, either physically or emotionally. Example: "After years of friendship, they felt like they were going apart and needed to address their differences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Rubinstein, with a nod to Churchill, said capitalism was the worst system going, apart from all the others.

The Guardian - Business

"Of course, if the British position would be no, no, no everywhere, then it is simply going apart.

The Guardian

And it's about their friendship, and you see all these linkages kind of coming together and going apart".

The New York Times - Magazine

The engaging folk quintet, who have been going (apart from a six-year hiatus) for 46 years now, joke about their varicose veins and arthritis.

Independent

I hope they keep going apart from when we play them".

BBC

Nobody knows where the thing is going, apart from Rooney, who twists his neck, as if it's made of elastic, and nuts it home.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

When Jesus saw the vision of a blind and wandering people, he went apart to pray.

The New Yorker

He has a lot of angry people and I don't see where it goes apart from rioting".

The Guardian

It being Christmas, people tended not to want to go, apart from Ian, myself and our Hungarian deputy foreign editor, Nick Dallman.

The Guardian

If You Go Apart from Cerro Gordo, which is almost eight miles from the nearest paved road, Death Valley's private towns are easily accessible by car.

The New York Times - Travel

She is all dressed up (Oscar de la Renta, Manolo Blahnik, Gucci) with nowhere to go – apart from her glamorous appearances in intensive care.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "going apart", consider the specific nuance you want to convey: is it a gradual drifting, a physical separation, or a complete disintegration?

Common error

Avoid using "going apart" when you specifically mean something is disintegrating or collapsing. "Falling apart" is more appropriate for that context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going apart" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used in conjunction with auxiliary verbs to describe a process of separation or divergence. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is grammatically sound and reflects a dynamic state of moving away from each other.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "going apart" is a grammatically correct way to describe separation, divergence, or disintegration, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not as common as alternatives like "drifting apart" or "falling apart", it has a neutral register and appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and scientific sources. It's crucial to consider the intended nuance when using this phrase, ensuring it accurately reflects the type of separation being described. Using more common synonyms like "drifting apart" or "falling apart" might be more effective for the general audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drifting apart

Implies a gradual emotional or relational separation.

separating

Describes the act of becoming physically divided.

diverging

Suggests a movement in different directions, either literally or figuratively.

splitting up

Refers to the dissolution of a partnership or relationship.

breaking up

Similar to splitting up, but often implies a more emotional separation.

falling apart

Indicates a state of disintegration or collapse.

coming undone

Suggests a process of unraveling or losing cohesion.

dissolving

Implies a gradual fading away or disintegration.

decoupling

Indicates the act of disconnecting or detaching.

becoming estranged

Refers to the loss of affection or familiarity between people.

FAQs

What does "going apart" mean?

"Going apart" generally means separating, diverging, or disintegrating. It can refer to physical separation, emotional drifting, or the breaking down of a structure or relationship.

What are some synonyms for "going apart"?

Alternatives to "going apart" include "drifting apart", "separating", or "falling apart", depending on the intended meaning.

Is "going apart" grammatically correct?

Yes, "going apart" is grammatically correct, although its usage might be less common than alternatives like "drifting apart" or "falling apart".

How can I use "going apart" in a sentence?

You can use "going apart" to describe how relationships change over time: "After many years, they felt they were "going apart"." Or use "falling apart" if referring to complete disintegration: "The old building was "going apart" because of neglect."