separates it by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "separates it by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a method or process that divides or distinguishes something using a specific criterion or medium. Example: "The diagram separates it by color to illustrate the different categories."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Then, he/she separates it by family/recipient and freezes the portions individually.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"You learn to separate it by living the life of a pitcher for a day, just mentally," Ventura said.

The New York Times - Sports

They separated it by color: brown, which is the most common cashmere in Mongolia; red, which is rarer; light gray; and white, which is the most highly prized, because it can be dyed in the widest variety of colors.

The New Yorker

He claims to be the first to figure out how to take nearly any kind of plastic trash, which is usually a mongrel blend of up to 20 different plastics, and separate it by chemical type.

Forbes

The Huffington Post collected the data and separated it by whether the tweet came from Trump's Android or an iPhone.

Huffington Post

We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down in posterity representing liberty.

Huffington Post

We then compared the peak intensities of the oligomers in the same spectrum using Hsp70 expressed in E. coli (Hsp70 E. coli ) labeled with heavy isotopes (C), separating it by mass from Hsp70 expressed in Sf9 cells (Hsp70Sf9).

Cell Reports

The two were separated, it would seem, by a few thousand votes.

The New York Times

This creek was upstream from the first, and separated from it by a high waterfall.

The New Yorker

South Ossetia has sought to unite with the adjoining Russian republic of North Ossetia, which was separated from it by Stalin.

The New York Times

Around that arena, and separated from it by a high wall topped by a metal screen, rose the spectator seats.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "separates it by", ensure that the 'it' refers to a clearly defined subject in your sentence to avoid ambiguity. For instance, clarify if you're separating data, components, or ideas.

Common error

Avoid using "separates it by" without a clear antecedent for 'it'. Ensure the noun 'it' replaces is explicitly mentioned in the preceding context to prevent reader confusion. For instance, do not write: "The process separates by color." Instead, write: "The sorting process separates the items by color."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "separates it by" functions as a verb phrase indicating a method of division or distinction based on a specific criterion. According to Ludwig, this phrase is used to describe the act of dividing something into different parts or categories based on certain characteristics.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "separates it by" is used to describe the action of dividing or distinguishing something according to a specific criterion. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. While not extremely common, it appears across diverse sources like news articles, scientific papers, and encyclopedias, indicating its versatility. To ensure clarity, it's essential to provide a clear antecedent for 'it'. Consider alternatives like "divides it according to" or "distinguishes it based on" for nuanced expressions. This phrase serves to inform and categorize, enhancing understanding of complex systems and processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divides it according to

Changes the preposition and uses 'according to' for more emphasis on the criteria.

distinguishes it based on

Replaces 'separates' with 'distinguishes' and uses 'based on' instead of 'by' to emphasize the foundation of the separation.

categorizes it according to

Emphasizes the act of placing something into categories determined by a specific characteristic.

sorts it by means of

Indicates a method or tool used in the sorting process.

classifies it under

Suggests a formal or systematic grouping.

groups it based upon

Focuses on forming groups using a certain foundation or rationale.

segregates it according to

Implies a more distinct or formal separation.

differentiates it through

Highlights the process of recognizing differences using a specific method.

compartmentalizes it by

Suggests dividing something into distinct, often non-overlapping, sections.

organizes it via

Focuses on structuring or arranging through a particular channel or method.

FAQs

How can I use "separates it by" in a sentence?

You can use "separates it by" to describe a process of division or distinction based on a particular characteristic. For example, "The software "separates it by" date, allowing users to easily find recent files."

What phrases are similar to "separates it by"?

Similar phrases include "divides it by", "distinguishes it by", or "categorizes it based on" depending on the context.

Is "separates it by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "separates it by" is grammatically correct. However, ensure that the 'it' has a clear reference point in your sentence to avoid confusion. Ludwig confirms this usage.

What is the difference between "separates it by" and "separates it from"?

"Separates it by" implies a division according to a criterion, while "separates it from" implies a physical or conceptual distancing. For example, "The algorithm "separates it by" category" versus "A fence "separates it from" the adjacent property".