to separate between

USAGE SUMMARY

"to separate between" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to mean either "to distinguish between" or "to divide between." For example, "We used a system of colored pins to separate between the classes of student."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To separate between these two possibilities, we analyzed separately 4-fold degenerate synonymous (D4) and strictly nonsynonymous (D0) positions (supplementary fig. S3, Supplementary Material online).

Genome Biology and Evolution

A separator (punctured polypropylene sheets, 1 mm in thickness) was used to separate between an anode and cathode.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

We all belong to the Palestinian people, and it is impossible to separate between us.

The New York Times

Every historical age has used its (philosophical or empirical) definition of humanity to separate between rulers, ruled and excluded.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the same speech,  Mr Eisenkot stressed that Israel needs to separate between Palestinian assailants and the rest of the population, saying "it would be a bitter mistake to impose curfews and closures".

Independent

The capillary model permits to separate between structural and physicochemical influences, based on experimentally determined parameters.

Chemical Engineering Science

Univariate models had difficulties to separate between additive genetic and permanent environmental effects.

Small Ruminant Research

Altogether, these results emphasize the difficulty to separate between SR and INT investors, whereas CONV investors are quite well distinguishable.

Business Research

A decomposition approach is developed to separate between the resonant and the background components of the response.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

The binary decision tree method is used to separate between several multi-jet topologies in e+e− collisions.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

This variable function may therefore be a reasonable explanation as to why these items would be difficult to separate between Material and Verbal processes.

Functional Linguistics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to separate between" when you want to clearly indicate the act of distinguishing or dividing two or more entities or concepts. It is often useful in contexts where careful distinction is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "to separate between" in overly simple contexts where clearer alternatives like "to distinguish" or "to divide" would suffice. Overcomplicating your language can obscure your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to separate between" functions as an infinitive phrase that introduces a purpose or intention, often within a larger sentence. It indicates the goal of distinguishing or dividing two or more entities. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to separate between" is a grammatically sound phrase primarily employed to express the purpose of distinguishing or dividing entities, often with a focus on clarity and analysis. It is most commonly found in scientific and technical contexts, with some presence in news media and formal business settings. While grammatically correct, the phrase's formality may make it less suitable for informal conversations. As Ludwig AI explains, its frequent usage and clear meaning contribute to its widespread acceptance as a means to clarify distinctions and categorize elements. Related alternatives, like "to distinguish between" or "to differentiate between", may provide more nuanced expressions depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to distinguish between

This alternative emphasizes the act of recognizing differences.

to differentiate between

Focuses on identifying specific characteristics that set things apart.

to discriminate between

Suggests a more careful and precise act of telling things apart.

to tell apart

Implies a simpler, more direct way of distinguishing.

to divide between

Emphasizes the act of distributing or allocating something among different entities.

to segregate between

Highlights the action of keeping things separated or isolated.

to disassociate between

Implies a deliberate act of breaking a connection between two things.

to dissociate between

Similar to 'disassociate', but can also imply a more passive separation.

to split between

Focuses on the act of dividing something into two or more parts.

to sort between

Highlights the act of arranging things into specific groups based on shared characteristics.

FAQs

How can I use "to separate between" in a sentence?

The phrase "to separate between" is used to indicate the act of distinguishing or dividing two or more things. For example, "The study aimed to separate between correlation and causation."

What are some alternatives to "to separate between"?

Alternatives include "to distinguish between", "to differentiate between", or "to divide between" depending on the specific context.

Is "to separate between" grammatically correct?

Yes, "to separate between" is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in scientific and technical contexts, according to Ludwig AI.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "to separate between"?

It's particularly appropriate in formal writing, scientific reports, or technical documentation where clear and precise distinctions are important. More casual contexts might benefit from simpler alternatives.