What is separate? Pronunciation and usage in English

separate means . Learn how to pronounce and use separate through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of separate

separateadjective/verb

/ˈsɛp(ə)rət/
Definition & pronunciation of separate

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "separate" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sound:

  • "Seh" – This is the most important part. It's a short, open "e" sound, like the "e" in "bed" or "set." It’s not like the "ea" sound in "eat."
  • "Par" – This makes the "par" sound, similar to the "par" in "park."
  • "ate" – This is the standard "ate" sound, as in "late" or "date."

2. Putting it Together:

When you combine those elements, you get: "seh-PAR-ate"

3. Emphasis & Breakdown:

  • Emphasis: Most native speakers put the slight emphasis on the first syllable, "seh."
  • Linking: You’ll often hear it spoken smoothly, with the sounds linking together a little. It might sound something like “seh-PAR-uh-teh” (the "uh" and "teh" are very subtle links).

4. Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them:

  • Not saying "seh": Many people default to "sep" which is incorrect. Actively focus on the short "e" sound.
  • Saying "pear": Be careful not to pronounce “par” like “pear.”
  • Over-emphasizing the "a": While "ate" is part of it, don't let the "a" sound dominate the pronunciation.

Resources to Help You:

  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/separate/ – This website allows you to hear native speakers pronounce the word from different regions.
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce separate" on YouTube. You'll find many videos with visual and auditory aids. (e.g., https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9kI2L0n-4Lc)

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker, or are you learning?
  • Where are you from (what's your native language)? Knowing your native language can help me identify common pronunciation challenges you might be facing.*

Usage and examples with the word separate in English

Let's break down how to use the word "separate" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings and ways to use it. Here's a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. To Divide or Keep Apart: This is the most common meaning.

  • Physical Separation:
    • "The earthquake separated the houses." (Meaning: caused them to be physically distanced)
    • "We separated the ingredients before mixing them." (Meaning: divided them)
    • "The two children were separated by a table." (Meaning: placed apart)
  • Abstract Separation:
    • "They separated by mutual agreement." (Meaning: ended a relationship)
    • "He separated himself from the group." (Meaning: withdrew or distanced himself)
    • "The company separated its legal and financial departments." (Meaning: created separate entities)

2. To Cause to Become Distinct or Different:

  • "The rain separated the dry dirt from the muddy ground." (Meaning: caused them to become distinct textures)
  • “The new law separated the rights of the accused from those of the victim.” (Meaning: clearly distinguished)

3. As a Verb (often with "apart"): This is a very common construction.

  • "Separate them apart." (Meaning: to put them physically distant) – “Please separate these two books apart.”
  • "Separate the bills." (Meaning: to divide the bills) – “Can you separate the restaurant bill from the movie tickets?”

4. As an Adjective: Meaning ‘distinct’ or ‘separate.’

  • "They had separate bedrooms." (Meaning: different bedrooms)
  • "She needs a separate office." (Meaning: a separate room or space)
  • “There was a separate line for students.” (Meaning: a distinct line)

5. In Phrases & Idioms:

  • Separate ways: To end a relationship or friendship. "After five years, they decided to separate ways."
  • Separate issue: A matter that is distinct from the main topic. “The funding for the library is a separate issue from the budget for the park.”
  • Separate the wheat from the chaff: To identify the valuable parts from the worthless parts. “We need to separate the wheat from the chaff and focus on the most important aspects of the report.”

Here’s a table summarizing the common uses:

Usage Meaning Example
Verb (to) To divide or keep apart We separated the colors.
Verb (with "apart") To put physically apart Separate the documents apart.
Adjective Distinct, separate They have separate accounts.
Phrase To end a relationship/friendship They separated ways.

Tips for Using "Separate":

  • Context is key: The meaning of “separate” depends entirely on the context.
  • “Separate from” vs. “Separate”: “Separate from” often indicates a reason or cause. "He was separated from his family."
  • Consider alternatives: Depending on the nuance you want to convey, words like “divide,” “split,” “isolate,” or “distinguish” might be better choices.

Can you give me a sentence where you’d like to use the word “separate”? Or, would you like me to focus on a particular aspect of its usage (e.g., different grammatical constructions)?

Synonyms for the word separate

Idioms of the word separate

go your separate ways
to end a relationship with somebody
  • When the business was sold they went their separate ways.
  • They decided to go their separate ways after being together for five years.
  • When we finished school, we all went our separate ways.
to go in a different direction from somebody you have been travelling with
    under separate cover
    (business)in a separate envelope
    • The information you requested is being forwarded to you under separate cover.

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