separate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'separate' is correctly used and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about separating two things from each other. For example: "The twins had separate bedrooms in their home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A Washington Post article published on Wednesday revealed vague details of a police document that quoted a prisoner who had been placed in the same police van as Gray – though in a separate compartment – as saying Gray had been "trying to injure himself".

The Guardian

Al-Qaida's goal of creating an Islamic caliphate spanning the Muslim world is limited to a pocket of lawless boltholes controlled by separate factions.

The Guardian

"Its time to properly separate refugees from immigration policy.

The Guardian

With about 30 minutes to go before Hill was injected with a fatal dose of the sedative pentobarbital, two separate courts stepped in to impose a temporary delay in the proceedings.

The Guardian

Andrew McAleer was granted a temporary protection order from Rice in January 2013, which was subsequently rescinded by a separate judge following a full hearing.

The Guardian

It's telling that they then say, in regard to American Sniper, "I can separate out the politics from the filmmaking".

The Guardian - Film

A separate USAid database shows the agency awarded about 14% of its mission funding through local organisations in 2012.

The Guardian

In addition, the overemphasis on the local man and woman underlines another important axiom about Irish elections: they are in fact 43 separate byelections, often fought on localised issues.

The Guardian

Mote was suspended from Ukip in 2004, shortly after he was elected, when the party discovered he was facing separate charges for benefit fraud.

The Guardian

In what appears to be a separate altercation a few minutes later, Bristol Palin approached Klingenmeyer saying that she was going to "beat that girl's ass".

The Guardian

Can they separate these by their economic and social impact?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "separate" as an adjective, verify that it modifies a noun and accurately describes the state of being apart or distinct.

Common error

The misspelling "seperate" is a common error. Always double-check the spelling to ensure it is "separate", with an 'a' after the 'p'.

Linguistic Context

The word "separate" functions as a verb, adjective, or noun. As Ludwig examples show, it's used to describe the act of dividing, distinguishing, or existing apart. Ludwig AI validates that it's frequently used and understood in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Lifestyle

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Opinion

5%

Travel

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "separate" is a versatile term with a very common usage in English, functioning as a verb, adjective, and noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and well-understood. Predominantly found in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Formal & Business contexts, "separate" indicates division, distinction, or independence. Be mindful of the common misspelling "seperate". Using alternatives like "divide", "detach", or "distinguish" can add nuance to your writing depending on context. "Separate" is a valuable tool for clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divide

This alternative refers to the act of splitting something into parts.

segregate

This implies a more forceful separation, often based on specific criteria.

detach

This refers to disconnecting or unfastening something.

disjoin

This emphasizes the act of breaking a connection or union.

disunite

This suggests the undoing of a previous unity.

isolate

This emphasizes setting something apart and alone.

differentiate

This focuses on recognizing or creating distinctions between things.

distinguish

This highlights the ability to perceive differences clearly.

compartmentalize

This means dividing into separate categories or sections.

single out

This suggests selecting one item from a group.

FAQs

How is "separate" used in a sentence?

The word "separate" can be used as a verb, adjective, or noun. For example: "Please separate the trash from the recycling" (verb), "They live in separate houses" (adjective), or "These are sold as separates" (noun).

What are some synonyms for "separate"?

Synonyms for "separate" include "divide", "detach", "segregate", and "isolate". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "separate out"?

"Separate out" is a phrasal verb that emphasizes the act of distinguishing something from a larger group. For example, "I can "separate out" the politics from the filmmaking."

What's the difference between "separate" and "distinct"?

"Separate" implies a physical or conceptual division, while "distinct" emphasizes clear differences. You might "separate" items into categories that are "distinct" from each other.