Word
separately
Phoneticssep·a·rate·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsɛpɝətɫi/
UK/sˈɛpɹətli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. not together or at the same time. You use this when things happen one by one or are kept in different places.
adv. in a manner that is distinct, disconnected, or individual. Often used to indicate that items or events are handled independently rather than as a group.
Examples
“We should pay for our meals separately.”
“The software and the hardware are sold separately to allow customers more flexibility in their choices.”
“Although the two departments share a building, they operate separately with their own budgets and management structures to ensure specialized focus.”
Examples
simple
“We should pay for our meals separately.”
contextual
“The software and the hardware are sold separately to allow customers more flexibility in their choices.”
complex
“Although the two departments share a building, they operate separately with their own budgets and management structures to ensure specialized focus.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “separately” in context.
Verb
01. separately calculate
“Please separately calculate the tax and the shipping costs for this order.”
adv + verb
02. separately consider
“The committee needs to separately consider the needs of each department.”
adv + verb
03. separately develop
“The two companies decided to separately develop their own versions of the software.”
adv + verb
04. separately discuss
“We will separately discuss each point of the contract during the meeting.”
adv + verb
05. separately examine
“The researchers will separately examine the results from each test group.”
adv + verb
06. separately treat
“Doctors will separately treat the different symptoms to ensure the best recovery.”
adv + verb
07. separately carry
08. separately compute
09. separately look
Usage
Typically placed after the verb or at the end of the clause.
Pitfall
They arrived separate.
They arrived separately.
Learners often use the adjective 'separate' when the adverb 'separately' is required to modify the verb.
Etymology
From separate + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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