had parted ways

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had parted ways" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two people or groups have separated or ended their relationship, often after a period of being together. Example: "After years of collaboration, the two companies had parted ways due to differing visions for the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Additionally, she and her new partner had parted ways.

The New York Times

Within months, though, the two had parted ways.

The New York Times - Tech

By the late 20s, Hemingway and Stein had parted ways.

The New Yorker

Ms. Fenn had parted ways with convention quite happily before.

The New York Times - Books

The agency said it had "parted ways" with him, declining further comment.

The New York Times

But the cultures of live theater and the boxing arena had parted ways by the 1960s.

The New York Times

The subjects had parted ways, and she simply didn't want the work around anymore.

The New York Times

The company and I had parted ways, however, before the attacks.

The New York Times

So it came as no surprise that he and his wife had parted ways again.

The New York Times

He also said he had parted ways with Corey, his friend of 20 years.

The Washington Post

He said he and Ms. Fulton had parted ways in 2000.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had parted ways" when you want to indicate a formal or definitive end to a relationship, agreement, or association. It's suitable for professional or neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "had parted ways" when describing a temporary separation or disagreement. This phrase implies a permanent end to the relationship or association. For temporary situations, consider using "were temporarily separated" or "were on a break".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had parted ways" functions as a verb phrase indicating a completed action of separation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Examples across Ludwig illustrate its use in diverse contexts, from professional separations to personal relationship endings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had parted ways" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote the termination of a relationship or agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral, its formal tone is more suited to professional or public announcements rather than casual conversation. When choosing alternative phrases, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as the emotional impact of "had separated" or the formal nature of "had dissolved their partnership". Avoid using it for temporary separations. Remember to consider the context to ensure you're conveying the precise meaning you intend.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had separated

Emphasizes the act of physically or emotionally separating from someone.

had split up

Focuses on the dissolution of a partnership or relationship.

had gone their separate ways

Highlights the divergence of paths or directions after a shared period.

had ended their relationship

A formal way of describing the termination of a relationship.

had divorced

Specifically refers to the legal termination of a marriage.

had dissolved their partnership

Specifically refers to the termination of a business or formal partnership.

had disassociated

Implies a formal or conscious decision to end an affiliation.

had ceased contact

Focuses on the termination of communication between parties.

had broken ties

Highlights the severing of connections or bonds.

had terminated the agreement

Indicates a formal ending of a contractual arrangement.

FAQs

What does "had parted ways" mean?

The phrase "had parted ways" means that two or more people or entities have separated or ended their relationship or association. It suggests a definitive break, whether personal or professional.

What can I say instead of "had parted ways"?

You can use alternatives like "had separated", "had split up", or "had gone their separate ways" depending on the context.

Is "had parted ways" formal or informal?

The phrase "had parted ways" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in professional or news-related reporting.

How to use "had parted ways" in a sentence?

You can use "had parted ways" to describe the end of a professional relationship, such as "The company announced that it "had parted ways" with its CEO", or a personal one, such as "After many years, they "had parted ways" amicably".