Apart vs Aside

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Apart

Top 1,000 (very common) B1 adverb

Aside

Top 2,000 (common) B2 adverb

Most common: Apart

	Apart	Aside
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/əˈpɑːt/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/əˈpɑːrt/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/əˈsaɪd/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/əˈsaɪd/"]/
Meaning	Not together; separated.	To one side; not part of the main action.
Example	The two pieces of the puzzle were apart from each other.	She pulled the curtain aside.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	B1	B2
Part of speech	adverb	adverb
Collocations	grow apart, drift apart, take apart	put aside, set aside, step aside
Antonyms	together, close, connected	together, inclusion
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.	Confused with 'beside' which relates to location., In the wrong context, leading to unclear meaning., Using it as a noun instead of an adverb.
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 'aside' when you want to indicate that something is not included in the main conversation or action. It's often used in storytelling or speeches.

See it in real clips

Top Gear › S1 E1

All the crew here like it. Everyone, well, apart from him.

Apart

But, that aside

The Pitt › S1 E1

or you can step aside.

- Step aside, Butch.

But, that aside

The Pitt › S1 E1

or you can step aside.

Aside

Frequently asked questions: Apart vs Aside

What's the difference between Apart and Aside?

Apart: Not together; separated. Aside: To one side; not part of the main action.

Which is more common: Apart and Aside?

Apart is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Apart and Aside?

Aside is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Apart and Aside the same CEFR level?

Apart: B1, Aside: B2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Apart and Aside?

Apart: adverb, Aside: adverb.

Can you show an example of each?

Apart: The two pieces of the puzzle were apart from each other. Aside: She pulled the curtain aside.

Can I use Apart and Aside interchangeably?

Not always. Apart and Aside 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.