separate itself from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "separate itself from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of distancing or distinguishing oneself from something or someone. Example: "The organization decided to separate itself from the controversial project to maintain its reputation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The community wanted to separate itself from Mr. Sheeley.

The New York Times

How does a fledgling cable network separate itself from the pack?

The New York Times - Arts

Wells Fargo has long tried to separate itself from Wall Street.

The New York Times

Bridge began to separate itself from whist in the late nineteenth century.

The New Yorker

India is also anxious to separate itself from China in the negotiations.

The Guardian

"The new money doesn't want to separate itself from the population at large," Mr. D'Souza said.

The New York Times

To separate itself from theology, science must find evidence that its creations are real.

The New York Times

Indeed, the Orban government has taken pains to separate itself from Jobbik.

The New York Times - Arts

The rhetoric of Modernism had tried very hard, desperately hard, to separate itself from the Academic.

The Guardian - Arts

But this Impala will separate itself from any Impala of any era".

The New York Times

For now, T-Mobile is trying to separate itself from the competition with its phone plans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "separate itself from" when you want to emphasize a conscious effort to become distinct or independent from something else. Ensure the subject clearly benefits from the separation.

Common error

Avoid using "separate itself from" when a more direct, active voice would be clearer and more impactful. For example, instead of "The company sought to separate itself from the scandal", consider "The company distanced itself from the scandal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "separate itself from" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of distancing or disassociating oneself from something. It's often used to show a conscious effort to become distinct, as demonstrated by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "separate itself from" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase indicating a conscious effort to become distinct or independent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and science. When writing, consider the nuanced differences between this phrase and alternatives like "differentiate itself from" or "distance itself from" to ensure the most precise expression of your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differentiate itself from

Focuses on highlighting unique qualities to become distinct.

distinguish itself from

Emphasizes making oneself noticeable or different.

detach itself from

Implies severing a connection or association.

disassociate itself from

Highlights a formal or deliberate separation.

distance itself from

Suggests creating space, whether physical or metaphorical.

divorce itself from

Indicates a complete and formal ending of a relationship.

break away from

Implies a sudden or forceful departure from something.

decouple itself from

Highlights severing a connection, often in a technical or economic context.

extricate itself from

Suggests a careful and strategic removal from a difficult situation.

segregate itself from

Emphasizes a separation that can involve physical or social barriers.

FAQs

How can I use "separate itself from" in a sentence?

Use "separate itself from" when you want to emphasize a deliberate act of distancing or differentiating. For example: "The new political party aimed to "separate itself from" the corruption allegations of the previous administration".

What are some alternatives to "separate itself from"?

You can use alternatives like "differentiate itself from", "distinguish itself from", or "detach itself from" depending on the context.

Is there a subtle difference between ""separate itself from"" and "distance itself from"?

"Separate itself from" often implies a more definitive and intentional break, while "distance itself from" can suggest a more gradual or cautious distancing.

Which is more formal, ""separate itself from"" or "differentiate itself from"?

"Differentiate itself from" tends to be slightly more formal and is often used in contexts where unique qualities are emphasized, while ""separate itself from"" is more general.