he was separated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was separated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone has been divided or removed from a group, relationship, or situation. Example: "After the incident, he was separated from the rest of the team for further evaluation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was separated as captain.

Princeton University

He was separated from his third wife, Barbara Lee.

The Washington Post

He was separated from his wife, Christine Friess.

The New York Times

He was separated from his wife, Mata, Gorgeon said.

The New York Times - Sports

Often, he was separated from the rest of the class and told to draw pictures.

Cornell University

He is survived by his wife Dorothy, from whom he was separated, and three daughters.

The Guardian

At his death, he was separated from his fourth wife, Kathleen Pommer.

The New York Times - Arts

The circumstances of how he was separated from his unit and captured have remained a mystery.

The New York Times

He was separated from his 21-year-old son, who was led to another flat.

The Guardian

He was separated from his wife Christine, who he married in 1967.

The Guardian

He is survived by Cherry, from whom he was separated, and by his son.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "he was separated" to indicate a marital status, consider adding context to clarify the duration or circumstances of the separation for better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "he was separated" when "divorced" is more accurate. Separation implies a temporary state, whereas divorce signifies a permanent end to the marriage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was separated" functions primarily as a descriptor, indicating a state of being divided or disconnected from something, whether it be a person, a group, or a place. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness, showing examples where it refers to marital status or physical separation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

1%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was separated" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a state of being divided or disconnected, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly used in news and media, as well as academic contexts, it often refers to marital status, physical separation, or detachment from a group. Related phrases include "he became estranged" and "he was distanced", offering nuanced alternatives. When using the phrase, it's important to be accurate and provide clarifying context, especially when discussing marital status. While "he was separated" indicates a temporary state, "he was divorced" describes a permanent end to a marriage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was distanced

Emphasizes the creation of space or distance, either physically or emotionally, between people or things.

he became estranged

Focuses on the emotional distance that developed, implying a breakdown in the relationship.

he was removed

Highlights the act of taking something away or being taken away.

he was parted

Emphasizes the act of being divided or split apart, often used in a more formal or literary context.

he was divided

Highlights the division or splitting of something, can be physical or metaphorical.

he discontinued contact

Specifically relates to the cessation of communication, emphasizing a break in connection.

he got detached

Implies a removal or disconnection from something, often suggesting a loss of emotional involvement.

he found himself isolated

Focuses on the feeling of being alone and cut off from others.

he was set apart

Highlights being distinguished or made different from others, sometimes implying superiority or uniqueness.

he withdrew

Focuses on the act of pulling back or retreating from a situation or relationship.

FAQs

What does "he was separated" mean?

The phrase "he was separated" generally means that a man was in a state of being apart or disconnected from something or someone. This could refer to marital separation, physical separation, or separation from a group or organization.

What's the difference between "he was separated" and "he was divorced"?

"He was separated" indicates a temporary or trial period of living apart, while "he was divorced" indicates the legal termination of a marriage. Separation may or may not lead to divorce.

How to use "he was separated" in a sentence?

You can use "he was separated" to describe a man's marital status (e.g., "He was separated from his wife") or to describe being physically apart from something (e.g., "He was separated from his unit during the mission").

What can I say instead of "he was separated"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "he became estranged", "he was parted", or "he was distanced".