separated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "separated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the state of being divided or kept apart from something or someone. Example: "The two countries were separated by a vast ocean, making communication difficult."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When I was about 18, Mum and Dad separated but they would always come to see stuff I was in separately.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, while the Neo Geo's card offered just 2k of storage, the PlayStation's had 128k, separated into 15 "save" blocks.

The Guardian - Tech

He was separated from his mother and trafficked into England at the age of 10 before being left homeless on the streets of London – he had also never played American football until last year.

The Guardian - Sport

But Serbia and Albania were not separated in the draw, although away fans were banned from the stadium in Belgrade.

The Guardian - Sport

Now the two are separated, the vodka should have the oil's flavour without its fats.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Near Chibok, a rescue becomes increasingly difficult as the girls are thought to have been separated and taken to several different locations.

The Guardian

But the couple separated in 2008 and nowadays he seems to prefer his own company.

The Guardian - Film

When the mince has separated out and is fragrant but still juicy, remove from the wok and set aside.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The film merges two Londons, separated by nearly a century, into one film.

The Guardian

After 30 hours of racing over six days we were separated by a paltry three minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My dad came here in 1940 and was separated from his mum and his sister".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger alternatives such as "estranged" or "detached" when "separated" does not fully capture the intended nuance of emotional distance.

Common error

Avoid confusing "separate" (the verb) with "separated" (the past participle/adjective). Use "separate" when describing the act of dividing, and "separated" when describing the state of being divided or having been divided.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "separated" is that of a past participle adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of being divided or detached. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Lifestyle

20%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "separated" functions primarily as a past participle adjective, denoting a state of division or detachment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English, supported by numerous examples from varied contexts like news, lifestyle, and sports. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse writing styles, from formal reports to casual articles. When using "separated", ensure clarity and consider stronger alternatives like "estranged" or "detached" to precisely convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divided

Focuses on the act of splitting something into parts, akin to "separated" but emphasizing the action rather than the state.

detached

Implies a physical or emotional disconnection, similar to being "separated" but with a stronger emphasis on the lack of connection.

isolated

Suggests a state of being alone or apart from others, similar to being "separated" by circumstance or choice.

disconnected

Emphasizes a break in communication or relationship, like being "separated" in terms of interaction.

segregated

Implies a forced separation, often based on discriminatory reasons, adding a layer of social or political context.

partitioned

Refers to the act of dividing a space or territory, akin to "separated" in a spatial context.

disjointed

Describes a lack of coherence or connection, similar to "separated" in the sense of not being unified.

dissociated

Implies a psychological or emotional detachment, similar to being "separated" from one's feelings or experiences.

severed

Suggests a complete and often forceful cutting off, similar to being "separated" with a sense of finality.

differentiated

Highlights the act of distinguishing between things, similar to "separated" in the sense of recognizing distinct entities.

FAQs

How can I use "separated" in a sentence?

"Separated" can describe physical distance (e.g., "The countries are separated by a river"), marital status (e.g., "They are separated but not divorced"), or abstract divisions (e.g., "The ideas are separated by a fundamental difference").

What are some synonyms for "separated"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "detached", "divided", "isolated", or "segregated".

Is it correct to say "separate" instead of "separated" in some contexts?

No, "separate" is a verb, while "separated" is often used as an adjective or in the past participle form. For example, you can "separate" two objects, and after the action, they are "separated".

What is the difference between "separated" and "divorced"?

"Separated" generally means a couple is living apart but still legally married, while "divorced" means the marriage has been legally terminated. Therefore "divorced" is a more definitive state.