separate between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'separate between' is not correct and usable in written English.
A more appropriate phrase would be 'separate from'. Example: The cats had to be separated from each other because they were fighting.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A separator (punctured polypropylene sheets, 1 mm in thickness) was used to separate between an anode and cathode.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

We separate between three types of reciprocity.

The Journal of Socio-Economics

We all belong to the Palestinian people, and it is impossible to separate between us.

The New York Times

"He can't unilaterally separate between Gilad Sher and Danny Yatom," two of his senior advisers.

The New York Times

After these troops an empty space was left, to separate between them and the king.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Univariate models had difficulties to separate between additive genetic and permanent environmental effects.

Small Ruminant Research

The capillary model permits to separate between structural and physicochemical influences, based on experimentally determined parameters.

Chemical Engineering Science

Every historical age has used its (philosophical or empirical) definition of humanity to separate between rulers, ruled and excluded.

The Guardian - Opinion

The binary decision tree method is used to separate between several multi-jet topologies in e+e− collisions.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Data for mRNA expression were analysed using separate between-group one-way ANOVAs with Tukey's post hoc comparisons.

Sports Medicine - Open

Separate between-group comparisons were made on Mindstreams outcome parameters between MCI and cognitively healthy and between MCI and mild AD.

BMC Geriatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal or academic writing, substitute the phrase "separate between" with grammatically correct alternatives like "differentiate between" or "distinguish between" to ensure clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "separate between" in formal writing. Although it's frequently used, it is considered grammatically incorrect. Always double-check your phrasing to ensure grammatical accuracy, especially in professional or academic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "separate between" is used as a verb phrase that attempts to describe the action of creating a distinction or division. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is grammatically incorrect. Proper alternatives, such as "differentiate between", are more accurate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "separate between" is frequently encountered across diverse sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is to express the act of distinguishing or dividing. For formal and professional writing, it is best practice to use alternatives like "differentiate between" or "distinguish between". This ensures grammatical accuracy and clarity. Common contexts for this phrase include Science, News & Media, and Academia. Remember to prioritize grammatical correctness in professional and academic settings to maintain precision and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differentiate between

This alternative emphasizes the process of recognizing or expressing the difference. It's subtly more precise, focusing on identifying distinctions.

distinguish between

Similar to 'differentiate', this suggests a clear marking of differences, making things readily identifiable as distinct.

discriminate between

This option suggests a more careful and critical assessment to identify differences, sometimes implying a judgment.

draw a distinction between

This is a more formal and emphatic way of expressing the act of recognizing and highlighting a difference.

segregate between

This term describes clearly setting or keeping things apart.

make a clear distinction between

This option stresses the clarity and obviousness of the difference being made.

divide between

This option explicitly highlights the act of creating sections or portions.

contrast with

Instead of focusing on separating, this highlights how two elements are dissimilar when placed side-by-side.

compartmentalize

This emphasizes separating things into distinct categories or mental boxes, often for organizational purposes.

isolate

Suggests setting something apart to examine it individually or prevent interaction with other elements.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "separate" when referring to two distinct items?

The correct phrasing is typically "separate from" or "differentiate between". For example, "Separate the wheat from the chaff" or "Differentiate between the two options".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "separate between"?

Instead of "separate between", you can use phrases like "distinguish between", "differentiate between", or "discriminate between" depending on the intended meaning.

Is "separate between" grammatically correct?

No, "separate between" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. A more appropriate preposition to use with "separate" is "from".

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "separate between", and why is it used?

You might encounter "separate between" in informal or less formal writing, or in speech. While not grammatically correct, its usage often aims to convey the idea of distinguishing or creating a division. However, it's better to use grammatically correct alternatives for clarity and precision.