separated in half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "separated in half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been divided into two equal parts. Example: "The paper was separated in half to create two distinct sections for the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The blankets are separated in half so that when it's time for the parents to say goodbye, they can keep one half and the baby is in the other.

BBC

For in vitro stimulation assays, ears were removed from control db/+ animals, separated in half and floated on DMEM media (supplemented with 10% FBS) and treated with 10 µg/ml anti-CD3ε antibody or 100 ng/ml recombinant TNFα (R&D Systems) as indicated.

Plosone

The pizza place will also do the pizza toppings separated in half or in fourths.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the half-rate case, adjacent spatial samples are separated in time by half a temporal sample.

Stanford University

When required to make quick, discrete responses to two stimuli separated in time by one-half second or less, an operator's reaction time (latency) for executing the second response is typically longer than that of his first response.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Placentas were separated in two halves, one half was fixed in 1.6% paraformaldehyde with 20% sucrose for further processing and the other half collected for RNA extraction.

Plosone

Placentas were separated in two halves, one half was frozen for RNA extraction and the other was fixed in 10% formalin for further processing.

Plosone

It is also reported that Ivanovic and Suarez had to be separated in the tunnel at half-time before the biting incident.

BBC

Mice were followed for up to twelve months, brain surgically removed at two and twelve months post-exposure, washed and cleaned in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), two hemispheres separated in the middle, and one half fixed in 10% buffered formalin.

Aging

We observed a strong tendency of the bacterial chromosomes towards a physical balance, with the minima and maxima corresponding to the known or putative ori and ter and being about half chromosome separated in most of the bacteria studied.

BMC Genomics

When the symmetry in Weinstein's model breaks into pieces there is one half that gets separated in the mathematics from the piece we interact with.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "separated in half", ensure that the context clearly indicates that the division results in two distinct and identifiable parts. For instance, "The class was "separated in half" for the experiment" implies two groups were formed.

Common error

Avoid using "separated in half" when the division isn't intended to be equal or when the parts aren't meant to be distinct entities. For example, instead of "The mixture was "separated in half" for testing," use "The mixture was divided into two portions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "separated in half" functions as a passive verb phrase followed by a prepositional phrase, indicating a state or action where something has been divided into two parts. Ludwig provides examples showcasing its usage in various contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "separated in half" is grammatically sound and commonly used to describe the division of something into two parts. Ludwig indicates that its usage is appropriate across various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting and general instructions. While often implying equal portions, the exact meaning can depend on the context. Alternatives like "divided into two" or "split in half" can be used depending on the desired nuance. It's important to consider the intended degree of precision and the nature of the separation when choosing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divided into two

Focuses on the action of dividing something into two parts, emphasizing the result of the separation.

split into two

Implies a more forceful or abrupt division than "separated".

halved

A concise way to say something is divided into two equal parts.

bisected

Suggests a precise division into two equal parts, often used in mathematical or technical contexts.

cut in two

Emphasizes the action of cutting as the method of separation.

partitioned into two

Suggests a more formal or organized division.

sectioned in half

Similar to divided, but implies an already partitioned element.

severed into two

Implies a more drastic and complete separation.

segmented in half

Refers to separating a single object in two segments.

cleaved in two

Suggests a separation along a natural line or plane.

FAQs

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

You can use "separated in half" to describe something that has been divided into two equal parts. For example, "The dough was "separated in half" before being rolled out."

What is a good alternative to "separated in half"?

Alternatives include "divided into two", "split into two", or "halved" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary for something to be equal when using "separated in half"?

While "separated in half" often implies two equal portions, the context may sometimes suggest an approximate division. However, for precise equality, consider using "bisected" or "divided equally into two".

What's the difference between "separated in half" and "split in half"?

"Separated in half" generally implies a gentler division, while "split in half" suggests a more abrupt or forceful division. The choice depends on the nature of the separation.