Cool MateIsolate vs Quarantine
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Isolate
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Quarantine
Top 2,000 (common)
| Isolate | Quarantine | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈaɪsəleɪt/","/ˈaɪsəleɪts/","/ˈaɪsəleɪtɪd/","/ˈaɪsəleɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈaɪsəleɪt/","/ˈaɪsəleɪts/","/ˈaɪsəleɪtɪd/","/ˈaɪsəleɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈkwɒr.ən.tiːn//🇺🇸 //ˈkwɔːr.ən.tiːn// |
| Meaning | To keep something or someone separate from others. | A time when people or animals stay away from others to stop sickness. |
| Example | Patients with the disease should be isolated. | The doctor recommended a strict quarantine for patients showing symptoms. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | isolate a variable, isolate from others, isolate the problem, isolate the pathogen, isolate oneself | home quarantine, mandatory quarantine, strict quarantine, quarantine period, quarantine measures |
| Antonyms | connect, associate, unite | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'isolation', the noun form., Using it incorrectly in the passive voice, e.g., 'The virus is isolated by the doctor.', Forgetting to include an object, e.g., 'Please isolate.' | Confused with 'isolation', which is more about separation without illness., Used inappropriately in non-medical contexts, like casual settings. |
| Usage notes | Use 'isolate' when referring to removing someone or something from a group or environment. Often used in scientific, medical, or psychological contexts. Avoid in casual conversation unless discussing specific scenarios. | Use 'quarantine' in medical or public health contexts. It's not suitable for informal conversations. Be cautious with its implications around illness. |
Frequently asked questions: Isolate vs Quarantine
What's the difference between Isolate and Quarantine?
Isolate: To keep something or someone separate from others. Quarantine: A time when people or animals stay away from others to stop sickness.
Can I use Isolate and Quarantine interchangeably?
Not always. Isolate and Quarantine 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.