What is separately? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of separately

separatelyadverb

/ˈsɛp(ə)rətli/
Definition & pronunciation of separately

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "separately." It can be tricky for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllable Breakdown:

The word "separately" has three syllables:

  • se- (like "say")
  • pa- (like "pa" in "apple")
  • rat-ly (like "rat" + "ly" - as in "lovely")

2. Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

This is the most precise way to represent the sound:

/seˈpær.ə.teɪ/

Let's break that down:

  • seˈ: The first syllable is pronounced with a slightly stressed “eh” sound. It’s not a long “e” like in “eat,” but a short, quick “eh.”
  • pær: The "pa" sound is just like the word "pa."
  • ə: This is a schwa sound, which is a very reduced, neutral vowel sound. It's like the "a" in "about" or "so." This is often the most challenging part for learners.
  • teɪ: The final syllable is pronounced like "tay." (Rhymes with "day")

3. Detailed Pronunciation Tips:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the second syllable: pa-. This is the part that makes the word feel complete.

  • The "a" in "separ-": It's similar to the "a" in "say" or "apple," but shorter.

  • The schwa (ə) in "separately": This is crucial. Don't try to pronounce a full "a" sound here. It's a very minimal sound, almost like you're saying "se-par-uh." It's a very short, relaxed vowel. Many English speakers don’t even consciously think about it!

  • "rat-ly": Ensure you clearly pronounce both parts of this syllable.

4. Listen and Repeat:

The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are some resources:

  • Google Translate: Type "separately" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/separately/ – This site has pronunciations by native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce separately" on YouTube – you’ll find many videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

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

  • Are you a native English speaker or are you learning?
  • What specifically are you finding difficult about the pronunciation? (e.g., the schwa sound, the stress?)

Usage and examples with the word separately in English

Let's break down how to use the word "separately" in English. It essentially means "distinctly" or "individually." Here's a detailed explanation with examples:

1. Basic Meaning: Distinctly or Individually

  • Core Idea: "Separately" emphasizes that things are not combined or part of a single group. They exist as separate entities.

2. Common Uses & Examples:

  • Describing Actions:

    • "Please complete your homework separately from your sister's." (They should do their work individually.)
    • "The ingredients should be measured separately before mixing." (Measuring each ingredient alone is important.)
    • "We need to analyze the data separately for each group." (Don’t combine the results for all groups at once.)

  • Describing Items:

    • "I paid for my meal separately from him." (I paid the bill myself, not as a combined group.)
    • "The documents were filed separately by category." (Each category had its own file.)
    • "Let's keep the bills separately so we can track our spending." (Individual bills for better monitoring.)

  • Describing Processes:

    • "Separately, we’ll clean the table and then set the dishes." (These are two steps done individually.)
    • "Separately, the research team will focus on market analysis and product development." (Separate focuses for the different teams.)

  • With “Furthermore” or “In addition”: Often used to introduce additional information:

    • "He's a talented musician. Separately, he's a gifted writer." (Adding another quality.)
    • "The project requires funding. Separately, it needs skilled volunteers." (More requirements.)

3. Contrast with "Together" / "Combined":

"Separately" is often used in contrast with words like "together," "combined," "jointly," or "collectively."

  • "We’ll work together on this project." (As a team, collaboratively.)
  • "The two companies merged together." (Became a single entity.)

4. Grammatical Usage:

  • "Separately" is an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
  • It usually appears before the word it modifies.

5. Phrasal Verbs:

  • “Separate” as a phrasal verb (with verbs like “separate out”, “separate from”) also exists and has a different meaning – to divide or distinguish. For example: "Let's separate out the important emails."

Tips for Using "Separately" Correctly:

  • Think about distinctness: The key is to emphasize that something isn't part of a larger whole.
  • Contrast it with togetherness: Consider if you want to highlight the fact that things are distinct rather than combined.

Resources for Further Learning:

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more examples in a specific context (e.g., writing, conversation)?
  • Explain the difference between "separately" and a similar-sounding word (like “separate”)?

Synonyms for the word separately

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