separated behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "separated behind" is not commonly used in written English and may be unclear without context.
It could be used in situations where you want to describe something that is physically or metaphorically distanced or divided from something else, but it may require additional context for clarity. Example: "The two groups were separated behind the tall fence, unable to see each other."

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The turbulent boundary layer separated behind the crest and reattached just at the lee foot of the hill.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

My colleague and I were separated behind black partitions at either side of the hall.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There is a limit to the lift that can be generated in this way, however, for if the inclination is too great the boundary layer separates behind the wing's leading edge, and the bound vortex, on which the lift depends, may be shed as a result.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a separate behind-the-scenes video, dad Micah Slade explains that the secret to the footage is a special room built on a gimbal behind the family's house.

Huffington Post

(While his address targeted issues like standardized testing, teacher evaluations and teacher pay, a separate, behind-the-scenes confrontation between Damon and a reporter and her cameraman, whose work Damon questioned as being possibly "s***ty," perhaps got more attention).

Huffington Post

Mrs. Shearer's husband, from whom she was separated, stayed behind.

The New York Times

The bitumen-rich sand is removed, mixed with water into a slurry, and spun in centrifuges until the oil is separated, leaving behind vast black tailings ponds that are hazardous to wildlife.

The New Yorker

This can be separated leaving behind skimmed milk as a by-product.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

As the economy soured, she watched her mother, now separated, fall further behind on the rent.

The New York Times

"When I was at Chauka, 10 of us were separated and handcuffed behind our backs, we were led onto a bus, one at a time.

The Guardian

Some formal participation by Serbs is considered vital to the success of the Western effort to turn Kosovo into a democratic, self-governing entity where all ethnic groups can live peacefully -- even if separated into enclaves behind barbed wire and guarded by foreign peacekeepers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "separated behind", ensure the context clearly indicates both the act of separation and the location. It's often more effective to use clearer, more direct phrasing for better comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "separated behind" when simpler, more common phrases like "divided at the back" or "isolated behind" would be clearer. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "separated behind" functions as a verb phrase, where "separated" is a past participle acting as an adjective and "behind" functions as an adverbial preposition indicating location. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is not very common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "separated behind" is a grammatically acceptable phrase that describes a division or distancing with a spatial reference. While not incorrect, it is not a very common construction; simpler alternatives are often preferred. Ludwig AI characterizes it as needing additional context for clarity. The phrase is most likely to appear in News & Media, Science or Encyclopedias. Consider using alternatives for clearer, more direct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divided in the rear

Replaces "separated" with "divided" and uses "in the rear" to convey location.

isolated at the back

Emphasizes isolation and uses a more specific directional term.

partitioned off behind

Highlights the act of partitioning and maintains the positional aspect.

segregated at the rear

Conveys a formal separation, often with social or organizational implications.

detached in the background

Focuses on detachment and places the subject in the background.

set apart in back

Emphasizes the act of setting apart with a casual term.

distanced from the front

Highlights the distancing effect by mentioning the front explicitly.

relegated to the back

Suggests a lowering in position or importance.

sequestered away back

Highlights the act of sequestering. Highly emphasizes the adverbial component with the word "back" after the separation.

left behind

Implies abandonment or being surpassed.

FAQs

How can I use "separated behind" in a sentence?

Use "separated behind" to describe something that has been divided or distanced and is located at the rear. For example, "The infantry units were "separated behind" the main line of defense."

What are some alternatives to saying "separated behind"?

Alternatives include "divided at the back", "isolated behind", or "partitioned off behind". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "separated behind"?

While grammatically sound, "separated behind" isn't a very common construction. It can be improved by more specific and clear wordings like "divided at the back" or "isolated behind".

What does "separated behind" imply?

"Separated behind" implies a physical division or distancing with a focus on the rear location. The specific implication depends on the context, but it generally suggests a deliberate act of separation.