Cool MateApart vs Separate
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Apart
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adverb
Separate
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
| Apart | Separate | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈpɑːt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈpɑːrt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈseprət/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈseprət/"]/ |
| Meaning | Not together; separated. | To put things apart from each other. |
| Example | The two pieces of the puzzle were apart from each other. | It's important to keep the separate components of the experiment organized. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adjective |
| Collocations | grow apart, drift apart, take apart | be, become, remain, somewhat, very, essentially, from, go your separate ways, be, become, remain, somewhat, very, essentially, from, go your separate ways |
| Antonyms | together, close, connected | combine, join, unite |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'a part' — use as two words when referring to a piece of something., Using it incorrectly in places where 'together' is meant., Mixing it with 'apart from' — which means besides. | 'Seperate' is a common misspelling., 'Separating' is sometimes incorrectly used with a direct object when it should not be. |
| Usage notes | Use 'apart' to describe physical distance or emotional separation. It’s suitable in neutral contexts. Avoid using in formal writing where 'separate' could be more appropriate. | Use 'separate' when discussing dividing items or concepts. It's neutral, suitable for both written and spoken contexts. Avoid in overly casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Apart vs Separate
What's the difference between Apart and Separate?
Apart: Not together; separated. Separate: To put things apart from each other.
Are Apart and Separate the same CEFR level?
Apart: B1, Separate: A2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Apart and Separate interchangeably?
Not always. Apart and Separate are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.