should be separated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be separated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to two things that need to be kept distinct or apart. For example, "The two parties disagreed over the issue, so they should be separated for further discussion".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I think they never should be separated.

The New York Times

The wings should be separated as well.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Politics and the police should be separated at last.

The New York Times - Magazine

Whenever possible identifiers should be separated from the dataset.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

All values on this line should be separated by commas.

Yale University

Decimal degrees should be separated by a comma.

Harvard University

Thousands should be separated by commas (1,000).

Nature

Andrew M. Cuomo, the former candidate for governor, said actors should be separated from their roles.

The New York Times

He also said the Pistorius case should be "separated from general crime in the country".

The Guardian

But, the spokeswoman said: "This should be separated from genuine charitable giving.

The Guardian

Investment services, including research, should be separated from lending, underwriting and securities trading.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be separated", ensure the context clearly explains why the separation is necessary or beneficial. For instance, in scientific writing, specify the reasons for separating variables.

Common error

Avoid using "should be separated" without providing a rationale. Always explain the purpose or benefit of the separation to avoid ambiguity or confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be separated" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating a recommendation or necessity for items to be kept distinct. Ludwig shows many examples across varied fields supporting this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

29%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should be separated" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to recommend or indicate the necessity of keeping things distinct. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase sees frequent use across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. It's crucial to provide clear justification for the separation to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "ought to be kept apart" and "need to be distinguished" offer similar but nuanced ways to express this concept. Remember that while versatile, it's important to ensure the context justifies the need for separation to maintain clarity and purpose in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be kept apart

Replaces "should" with "ought to" and "separated" with "kept apart", slightly increasing formality.

must be kept distinct

Emphasizes the necessity of maintaining a clear difference.

need to be distinguished

Focuses on the need for differentiation rather than physical separation.

should be differentiated

Emphasizes the importance of recognizing the differences between items.

need to be isolated

Highlights the act of setting something apart to prevent interaction or influence.

have to be segregated

Implies a more forceful separation, often with negative connotations depending on the context.

should remain disconnected

Focuses on maintaining a lack of connection.

should be compartmentalized

Suggests division into categories or sections.

ought to be demarcated

Suggests clearly defining boundaries between items.

must be divorced

Implies a complete and permanent separation.

FAQs

How can I use "should be separated" in a sentence?

Use "should be separated" to express that two or more things need to be kept distinct. For example, "Personal and professional lives "should be separated"".

What can I say instead of "should be separated"?

You can use alternatives like "need to be distinguished", "must be kept distinct", or "ought to be kept apart" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "should be separated"?

It's appropriate when you want to express the necessity of keeping items, concepts, or entities distinct for clarity, efficiency, or to avoid negative consequences.

What's the difference between "should be separated" and "should be isolated"?

"Should be separated" implies keeping items distinct, while "should be isolated" suggests setting something apart to prevent interaction or influence. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.