separated for good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "separated for good" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a permanent separation, often in the context of relationships or situations that are not expected to change. Example: "After years of disagreements, they finally decided to part ways, knowing they were separated for good."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

After that, my parents separated for good.

The New York Times - Magazine

Granger's scrapbook has the newspaper accounts of the night when the friends separated for good.

The New York Times

In February 1997, 11 years after they were married and two months after Elian's third birthday, they separated for good.

The New York Times - Magazine

But in the chaos that swept the Punjab around the time India and Pakistan were created Mr. Azim was separated for good from his immediate family.

The New York Times

Finally, they separated for good precisely on the 10th anniversary of their 500 Club debut, playing a farewell show at the Copacabana.

The Guardian - Film

But about 3 million years ago, a land bridge sprang up near modern-day Panama, and the single species split in two, which scientists thought were separated for good.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Still, the work of Kuhn and later historically oriented philosophers and sociologists of science did attempt to reintegrate the philosophical and historical studies that Duhem pursued together but that were separated for a good part of the twentieth century.

SEP

But as their daughter's condition worsens, their voices are more often raised in anger than in song and a fateful onstage tirade threatens to separate them for good.

Los Angeles Times

Bedrooms are separated for privacy.

The New York Times

But the couple separated again, apparently for good, in December.

Vice

In the following decades, biologists and Freudians cut separate paths, for good or ill.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "separated for good" to emphasize the finality and permanence of a separation, whether it's a relationship, a business partnership, or any other kind of connection.

Common error

Avoid using "separated for good" when the separation might only be temporary or when there is a chance of reconciliation. It implies a definitive end.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "separated for good" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It specifies the manner or duration of the separation, indicating it is permanent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable and indicates permanence. The examples in Ludwig show a common use in describing the end of relationships or associations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "separated for good" signifies a permanent end to a relationship, partnership, or any form of association. Grammatically correct and commonly understood, it's most frequently used in news, media, and personal contexts to emphasize finality. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, be mindful of its implications of permanence, avoiding its use when there's a possibility of reconciliation. Alternatives such as "permanently separated" or "irrevocably parted" can offer similar meanings with varying degrees of formality. When writing, ensure the context aligns with the definitive nature of the phrase to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permanently separated

Emphasizes the lasting nature of the separation without implying a specific cause or reason.

parted ways for good

Highlights the act of leaving each other, emphasizing a permanent decision.

separated definitively

Emphasizes a clear and resolute separation, often with legal or formal implications.

irrevocably parted

Highlights the irreversible nature of the separation, suggesting a more formal or decisive break.

split up for good

Uses a more informal term for separation, suitable for less formal contexts.

ended their relationship definitively

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more explicit description of the outcome.

went their separate ways permanently

Focuses on the diverging paths of the individuals after the separation.

dissolved their union completely

Suggests a more formal or legal end to a relationship or partnership.

severed ties for good

Emphasizes the cutting off of all connections and relationships.

made a final break

Focuses on the act of ending the relationship, emphasizing the conclusive nature of the decision.

FAQs

How can I use "separated for good" in a sentence?

You can use "separated for good" to indicate a permanent end to a relationship or partnership, as in, "After years of struggle, they finally "separated for good"."

What's a more formal alternative to "separated for good"?

A more formal alternative could be "permanently separated" or "irrevocably parted" which carry a similar meaning of finality but are suitable for formal contexts.

Is "separated for good" only used for relationships?

No, "separated for good" can also describe the permanent division of non-personal entities, such as businesses or ideas. However, it's most commonly used for relationships.

What is the difference between "separated" and "separated for good"?

"Separated" simply means to be apart, while ""separated for good"" implies that the separation is intended to be permanent and without the possibility of reconciliation.