it was separated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was separated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an object or entity that has been divided or detached from something else in the past. Example: "After the storm, it was separated from the main structure, leaving a noticeable gap."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

HBO brought that kind of help quickly to "Six Feet Under" after it flagged in its second week when it was separated from "Sex and the City".

The New York Times

After it was separated from its former parent, Fougera continued to be controlled by Nordic Capital, DLJ Merchant Banking and Avista Capital Partners.

The New York Times

Kutzing, with the animal rescue group, said that deer can swim — even in the Long Island Sound — but that this deer was too young and appeared to be in a panic because it was separated from its mother.

The Washington Post

There are so many tiny steps in one toothpick's journey from the Brazilian forest to your left incisor that most of us wouldn't stop to think about how it was separated into its package.

Huffington Post

The probe went quiet on Nov. 15, three days after it was separated from its mother ship Rosetta and touched down on the city surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. ___.

Los Angeles Times

The following year the island was annexed to New Zealand as part of the Cook Islands, but in 1903 it was separated and given its own resident commissioner and island council.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1824, it was separated out into its own genus, Thylacinus, by Temminck.

Wikipedia

Earlier studies had indicated that CspB could maintain its folded structure in fibrils, when it was separated from the amyloidogenic segment by a long linker.

Plosone

FOR a moment, it looked as if Russia would abandon caution and, in a fit of Slavic brotherhood, speed up its long-planned reunification with Belarus, from which it was separated by the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

The Economist

In 1921 it was separated and incorporated as a town.

Britannica

It was separated from New Haven and incorporated as a town in 1786.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "it was separated" with stronger verbs like "detached", "divided", or "isolated" to provide more specific meaning and impact in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "it was separated" without clearly establishing what "it" refers to. A vague antecedent can confuse readers and weaken the sentence's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was separated" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject underwent an action performed by an unspecified agent. Ludwig AI examples show this phrase used across varied domains to describe detachment or division. As a passive construction, it shifts focus from the actor to the object acted upon.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was separated" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely used across diverse fields, including News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science, for describing how something has been detached or divided from something else. When using this phrase, ensure that the antecedent of "it" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider stronger verbs for more specific meanings. Although the register is largely neutral, certain contexts may benefit from more descriptive alternatives. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing the versatility of this phrase in conveying division or detachment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was detached

Emphasizes the state of being disconnected without necessarily specifying how or when it occurred.

it was divided

Highlights the act of being split into parts, suitable when referring to something that was once whole.

it became detached

Focuses on the act of becoming no longer connected, implying a process or change of state.

it was disconnected

Implies a breaking of a connection, often used in technical or abstract contexts.

it was isolated

Emphasizes the act of being set apart or kept separate from others.

it was partitioned

Suggests a formal division, often used in computing or land management contexts.

it was disjoined

Highlights that something was previously joined but is now no longer connected

it was segregated

Implies a forced separation, often based on discriminatory reasons.

it was severed

Implies a violent or complete cutting off, often used in dramatic or medical contexts.

it was cleaved

Suggests a sharp and forceful separation, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "it was separated" in a sentence?

Use "it was separated" to describe something that has been detached or divided from something else. For example, "The island was once part of the mainland, but "it was separated" by rising sea levels".

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

You can use alternatives like "it was detached", "it was divided", or "it was isolated" depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "it had been separated" is grammatically correct. It implies that the separation occurred at a point earlier than the time being discussed, while ""it was separated"" simply indicates a past separation.

What is the difference between "it was separated" and "it separated"?

"It was separated" is in the passive voice, indicating that something caused the separation. "It separated" is in the active voice, implying that the thing itself did the separating. For example, "It was separated by a fault line" versus "The two landmasses separated over millions of years".