parted ways

USAGE SUMMARY

"parted ways" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiom that usually means to separate or divide, often in a permanent way. For example, "After a long period of debate, the two partners finally parted ways and went their separate ways."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That night, they parted ways.

The New Yorker

Ultimately, we parted ways".

The New Yorker

They soon parted ways.

The New York Times - Arts

The two have parted ways, potentially forever.

The New York Times

The pair only recently parted ways.

Independent

The next day, they parted ways.

The New Yorker

Sondheim and Prince parted ways.

The New Yorker

From there, their paths parted ways.

The New York Times

I parted ways with my representation.

The New York Times

She and Ahava soon parted ways.

The New Yorker

They parted ways in the 1990s.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "parted ways" when you want to indicate a formal or decisive separation, whether it's in a business, personal, or abstract context. It adds a touch of finality and intention to the separation.

Common error

Avoid using "parted ways" for temporary separations or casual farewells. It's best suited for situations where the separation is significant and likely permanent, not just a brief hiatus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "parted ways" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating a separation or division. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is a correct and usable idiomatic phrase and it is commonly used to indicate a final and intentional separation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "parted ways" is a frequently used idiomatic phrase that indicates a separation or divergence. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and usable phrase, commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and science contexts. While often implying a decisive end, it doesn't always carry negative connotations. Alternatives include "separated", ""went their separate ways"", and "ended their association". Use it when the separation is significant and likely permanent, avoiding casual farewells. Remember, it's about the deliberate choice to go in different directions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went their separate ways

Highlights the divergence of paths after a separation.

separated

A general term for ending a relationship or association.

split up

Implies a division, often in a relationship or partnership.

broke up

Typically refers to the end of a romantic relationship.

dissolved ties

Focuses on the ending of connections or bonds.

severed connections

Emphasizes a forceful or decisive ending of a relationship.

ended their association

Formal way of saying that a relationship ended.

disbanded

Refers to the dissolution of a group or organization.

terminated partnership

Focuses on the end of a formal business agreement.

came to an impasse

Highlights that they were unable to move forward together.

FAQs

How can I use "parted ways" in a sentence?

You can use "parted ways" to describe a separation in relationships, business, or abstract concepts. For example, "After years of collaboration, the two companies "went their separate ways"."

What's a more formal way to say "parted ways"?

A more formal alternative to "parted ways" is "ended their association" or "terminated partnership", depending on the context.

Is "parted ways" only used for negative separations?

Not necessarily. While "parted ways" often implies some level of disagreement or difficulty, it can also be used to describe amicable separations where different paths are pursued, without negative connotations.

What's the difference between "separated" and "parted ways"?

"Separated" is a more general term for ending a relationship, while "parted ways" suggests a more deliberate and often final decision to go in different directions. In a relationship context, "separated" might imply a trial period, whereas "parted ways" suggests a more permanent split.