have been separated

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been separated" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to two or more people, objects, or things that have been previously united but have now been split or removed from each other. For example: "Our family had been very close, but we have been separated since my parents divorced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

These have been separated.

The Guardian

I have been separated from my family.

The New York Times

The siblings have been separated.

The Guardian

Some of these children have been separated from their parents.

The Guardian

George & Heidi have been separated for 2 months.

The New Yorker

The couple have been separated for about a year.

The New Yorker

Narrator: "The monkey and the giraffe have been separated".

The New Yorker

The couple have been separated about a year.

The New York Times

She and her husband have been separated for four years.

The New York Times

"For decades, our nations have been separated by mistrust and fear," he said.

The New Yorker

"We have been separated for many years, and now he found me".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a separation, clarify the cause and consequences to provide context. For example, instead of simply stating "They have been separated", explain why and how this separation affects the situation.

Common error

Avoid implying permanence when the separation might be temporary. Using phrases like "temporarily have been separated" can clarify the intended duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been separated" functions as a present perfect passive construction. This indicates that an action of separating has been completed, and the subject is now in a state resulting from that action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Huffington Post

8%

Vice

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been separated" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to describe a state of division resulting from a past action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, from news reports and scientific articles to formal business communications. Its frequency and applicability make it a valuable tool for expressing separation in a clear and concise manner. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the context and ensure that the duration and cause of the separation are clear to avoid any ambiguity. Remember to consider alternative phrases like "have been divided" or "have been detached" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been divided

Focuses on the act of division, implying a splitting into parts.

have been disconnected

Emphasizes a break in connection or communication.

have been detached

Highlights a physical or emotional separation.

have been isolated

Stresses the state of being alone or apart from others.

have been segregated

Implies a forced separation, often based on discriminatory reasons.

have been estranged

Suggests a breakdown in a relationship, leading to separation.

have been distanced

Indicates a move away, either physically or emotionally, creating separation.

have parted ways

Describes a separation, often in relationships or collaborations, emphasizing a divergence in paths.

have split up

Colloquial term for separating, especially in romantic relationships.

are no longer together

Simple and direct way of stating that people or things that were once joined are now separate.

FAQs

How can I use "have been separated" in a sentence?

You can use "have been separated" to describe a state where people or things that were once together are now apart. For instance, "The children "have been separated" from their families due to the conflict".

What are some alternatives to "have been separated"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "have been divided", "have been detached", or "have been disconnected".

Is it correct to say "had been separated" instead of "have been separated"?

Yes, both are correct, but they indicate different tenses. "Had been separated" refers to a separation that occurred before a specific point in the past, while "have been separated" refers to a separation that started in the past and continues to the present or has relevance to the present.

What's the difference between "have been separated" and "are separated"?

"Have been separated" implies a process or action that led to the current state of being apart, while "are separated" simply describes the current state without emphasizing the process.