separate out

USAGE SUMMARY

"separate out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in a variety of contexts to mean the process of distinguishing or sorting. For example, you might write, "We need to separate out the replies from the orders to make sure our customers are getting what they need."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Eventually, they began to separate out".

The New Yorker

With radial velocity measurements, you can separate out the frequencies.

Cornell University

You should separate out the instructions before distributing to participants.

Harvard University

Drain the pulp overnight to separate out the liquid.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Perry: We have to separate out the variables here.

The Guardian - Opinion

We separate out the unique contribution of each occupation to aggregated measures of social capital.

Social Networks

The Western tradition would tend to separate out ruler of the state and ruler of doctrine.

Yale University

And I think we need to separate out the places where there are easy answers.

Yale University

dmtcalc is used to separate out the the efficiency (i.e. weight) term.

Harvard University

But is it ever helpful to separate out meaning from pleasure?

University of California, Berkeley

Mr. Constâncio said it was impossible to separate out how much each of those factors contributed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "separate out" when you want to emphasize the act of distinguishing or extracting a specific element from a larger whole. For instance, "We need to separate out the relevant data from the noise."

Common error

Avoid using "separate out" in highly formal writing where more precise or sophisticated vocabulary might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like 'distinguish', 'isolate', or 'extract' in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "separate out" is that of a phrasal verb. As a phrasal verb, it combines a verb (separate) with a particle (out) to create a meaning that is distinct from the original verb. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "separate out" is a versatile and common phrase used to describe the action of distinguishing, extracting, or isolating something from a larger group. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage. It's grammatically sound and appears across various contexts, including science, news media, academia, and general writing. While generally neutral to informal, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in highly academic or professional contexts. Understanding its nuances and appropriate use cases can greatly enhance clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

filter out

Similar to 'separate out' but often used in a technical context.

isolate

Emphasizes setting something apart from others.

sort out

Indicates a more casual and problem-solving approach.

extract

Implies removing something from a source.

segregate

Suggests a more formal or systematic separation.

distinguish

Focuses on recognizing differences.

set apart

Focuses on highlighting the uniqueness of something.

differentiate

Highlights the act of seeing differences.

sift

Implies a finer level of separation, like sifting through particles.

winnow

Suggests separating the good from the bad.

FAQs

How to use "separate out" in a sentence?

You can use "separate out" to describe the process of distinguishing or extracting something from a larger group. For example, "The scientist needed to separate out the different components of the mixture."

What can I say instead of "separate out"?

You can use alternatives like "distinguish", "extract", or "isolate" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "separate out" and "filter out"?

"Separate out" generally refers to distinguishing or extracting, while "filter out" often implies removing unwanted elements, like impurities or noise.

Which is correct, "separate out" or "separated out"?

Both are correct, but they serve different grammatical functions. "Separate out" is the base phrasal verb, while "separated out" is the past participle form, used in constructions like "The data was separated out".