on a separate line

USAGE SUMMARY

"on a separate line" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you want to make it clear that something is distinct from an earlier idea, or to emphasize a point. For example, "I would like you to sign the contract, on a separate line, and return it to me as soon as possible."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Make sure to put each one on a separate line, using "127.0.0.1" followed by a space before you enter the website URL.

WikiHow

Write each one out on a separate line.

Independent

Whenever you add decimals, write each number on a separate line, in one vertical stack.

WikiHow

David Schools, Snider's quick-thinking partner in the Hard Working Americans who's also the formidable force behind the Modulus Graphite bass as one of Widespread Panic's founding members, didn't miss a beat on a separate line from San Francisco.

Huffington Post

His profits and losses appeared on a separate line in documents with his initials: JSC.

The New York Times

It said the Legislature could not alter the appropriation bills except by striking out an appropriation, reducing it, or adding spending on a separate line.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Put the artichokes on a separate lined tray, mixed with a tablespoon of oil, a quarter-teaspoon of salt and plenty of pepper.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But recently the library found a new solution: after a complicated bureaucratic minuet, the library won itself a new status that allows it to put its budget directly on the ballot as a separate line item, to gain direct approval for its money from voters.

The New York Times

The district's budget would have to be approved by the County Legislature, but the taxes to pay for it would appear as a separate line on tax bills sent to property owners.

The New York Times

Tipping isn't given a separate line on the bill; tipping isn't even allowed.

Los Angeles Times

In addition, he said, there should be a separate line item on the monthly bill for the capital assessment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions for data entry or formatting, use "on a separate line" to ensure clarity and prevent misinterpretation of the intended structure.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "on a separate line" as a direct instruction for HTML line breaks, as it might lead to incorrect implementation with the <br> tag. Instead, focus on the semantic structure using block-level elements such as <p> or <div> to ensure proper rendering and accessibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a separate line" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used as an adverbial modifier to specify how or where something should be placed or entered. It clarifies the formatting or arrangement of information, indicating that elements should be distinct and not run together. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and its usage is widespread.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

28%

News & Media

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a separate line" is a grammatically correct and frequently employed prepositional phrase used to clearly specify the arrangement of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable. It is commonly found in instructional contexts, ensuring that data is organized distinctly. While its register is mostly neutral, its usage spans from informal Wiki guides to formal news reports and scientific papers. When writing, be mindful to use "on a separate line" to promote clarity, but avoid relying on it for purely visual formatting in environments where semantic structure is more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on a distinct line

Replaces "separate" with "distinct", emphasizing the uniqueness of each line.

on an individual line

Substitutes "separate" with "individual", highlighting the singularity of each line.

on its own line

Uses a possessive pronoun to emphasize that each item has its dedicated line.

in a separate row

Changes "line" to "row", suggesting a tabular or spreadsheet context.

as a separate entry

Replaces "line" with "entry", suitable for lists or records.

in its own space

Generalizes the concept to mean having dedicated space, not necessarily a line.

new line

Short form for a new line.

on a freshly created line

Uses a freshly created line.

on another line

A straightforward substitution, useful when contrasting with a previous line.

placed independently

Focuses on the independence of placement, rather than the specific line.

FAQs

How can I use "on a separate line" in a sentence?

Use "on a separate line" when you want to specify that items or pieces of information should be placed in distinct, non-continuous rows. For example, "Enter each ingredient "on a separate line" in the recipe list."

What's a more formal alternative to "on a separate line"?

In formal contexts, you might use "in a distinct row" or "as a discrete entry" instead of ""on a separate line"" to convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "on a separate line"?

The phrase "on a separate line" is generally correct, but avoid using it when describing purely visual formatting in contexts where semantic markup is more appropriate. For instance, in HTML, use paragraph tags rather than relying solely "on a separate line" for content separation.

What is the difference between "on a separate line" and "on a new line"?

"On a new line" typically refers to starting a fresh line of text after a line break. "On a separate line" is broader, indicating that something should be placed on a line that is distinct from other content, regardless of whether it's technically a 'new' line.