separate themselves

USAGE SUMMARY

"separate themselves" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to create a distance or divide between oneself and others. Example: After the argument, the two friends decided to separate themselves for a while to cool off.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People who have experienced parental separation have been shown to be more likely to separate themselves (Lyngstad and Jalovaara 2010).

European Journal of Population

"It's their choice to separate themselves".

The New York Times

No nation can separate themselves".

The Guardian - Arts

ZIBLATT The Republicans need to separate themselves from Trump.

Harvard University

The Israelites had to separate themselves from Egypt.

The New York Times

The elderly slowly separate themselves from the world.

The New York Times

And we'll allow good workers to separate themselves from bad workers.

Yale University

Military force will not crush the Chechens' desire to separate themselves from Russia.

The Economist

These lizard species separate themselves along three fundamental niche axes: time, food, and place.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But they should not imagine that they can separate themselves from world markets.

The Economist

Some other species produce medusae, but the medusae never separate themselves from the polyps.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "separate themselves", ensure the context clearly indicates what they are separating from. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "separate themselves" when the action doesn't reflect back on the subject. For example, instead of saying "They separate themselves from the problem", use "They separate the problem" if they are not part of the problem itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "separate themselves" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, where the action of separating is performed by the subject upon itself. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, indicating a deliberate act of creating distance or distinction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "separate themselves" is a grammatically sound and frequently used reflexive verb phrase, indicating a deliberate act of creating distance or distinction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Academia. When writing, ensure clarity about what is being separated from. Consider alternatives such as "distance themselves" or "distinguish themselves" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Avoid misusing the reflexive pronoun when the action doesn't reflect back on the subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distance themselves

Emphasizes creating a gap, either physically or emotionally.

set themselves apart

Emphasizes creating a noticeable difference.

distinguish themselves

Focuses on highlighting unique qualities to stand out.

differentiate themselves

Highlights the act of showing differences.

isolate themselves

Emphasizes physical or emotional detachment.

detach themselves

Suggests a removal of emotional or physical connection.

segregate themselves

Implies a more formal or imposed separation.

carve out their own space

Highlights creating a unique position or identity.

divorce themselves

Indicates a complete severing of ties.

break away

Focuses on the act of escaping or leaving a group.

FAQs

How can I use "separate themselves" in a sentence?

The phrase "separate themselves" is used when a group or individuals intentionally create distance or distinction between themselves and something else. For example, "The contenders did not separate themselves from the pack until the final meters."

What does "separate themselves" mean?

It means to create a divide or distance, either physically or figuratively, between a group or individual and others. Often it implies a deliberate act of distancing.

Which is correct, "separate themselves" or "separate them"?

The choice depends on the context. Use "separate themselves" when the subject is acting upon itself, creating distance for themselves. Use "separate them" when the subject is acting upon others, creating distance between others or objects.

What are some alternatives to "separate themselves"?

Depending on the context, alternatives could include "distance themselves", "distinguish themselves", or "isolate themselves".