Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
one who relies on another especially for financial support
dependent
local
tow
density
TOEIC test: Word games: Free Online Noun Verb Game Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

'separate' and 'separated'



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
Rising and falling declaratives | We found the lamp being on/burning
Message Author
'separate' and 'separated' Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:30 am  'separate' and 'separated'
 

hi,
how to use these words and what's the difference between them, please?
if a couple is not living together any more, are they ''separated'' or ''separate''?
thanks.
Jctgf
You can meet me at english-test.net


Joined: 04 Jul 2008
Posts: 66

'separate' and 'separated' Wed Jul 16, 2008 3:00 am  'separate' and 'separated'
 

Separated is the past tense of the verb separate.

However, separate can also be an adjective.

So, a couple who have 'broken up' are separated, and living separate lives.
_________________
Native speaker but not a perfect speaker.
But completely fluent in over six million forms of Teflese.
Skrej
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 03 Jul 2008
Posts: 373
Location: Not-quite exact central USA

Are you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsLearn all about English adverbs in this amusing storyThis newsletter tells you all about English! Subscribe to free email English course
'separate' and 'separated' Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:19 am  'separate' and 'separated'
 

I know that such spouses are referred to as estranged spouses
Is that true?

Thanks!
Lost_Soul
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 1861
Location: South Park, Colorado, USA

'separate' and 'separated' Wed Jul 16, 2008 22:46 pm  'separate' and 'separated'
 

hi,
if I simply want to say "they're separated/separate", which one should I use?
thanks.
Jctgf
You can meet me at english-test.net


Joined: 04 Jul 2008
Posts: 66

'separate' and 'separated' Wed Jul 16, 2008 23:02 pm  'separate' and 'separated'
 

.
Say "They're separated."
.
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8265
Location: USA

'separate' and 'separated' Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:12 am  'separate' and 'separated'
 

lost_soul wrote:
I know that such spouses are referred to as estranged spouses
Is that true?

Thanks!

Sure. "Estranged" carries a sense of bitterness or hatred, i.e. the breakup/divorce/separation was not amicable and pleasant. If you're referring to an estranged spouse, it means they're divorced, also.

Calling them separated just means they're living apart, the breakup or separation wasn't necessarily a nasty, mean, hateful battle.

Also, if you refer to a husband and wife as separated, that normally means they're not yet officially divorced, just no longer living as husband and wife. They may finalize the divorce, or they may get back together after resolving their problem(s).
_________________
Native speaker but not a perfect speaker.
But completely fluent in over six million forms of Teflese.
Skrej
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 03 Jul 2008
Posts: 373
Location: Not-quite exact central USA

'separate' and 'separated' Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:17 am  'separate' and 'separated'
 

Also, he/she is separated from her/him. How about: Don Quixote finally became separate for he had got separated from all his friends.
Haihao
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 26 Oct 2006
Posts: 1389
Location: Japan

'separate' and 'separated' Thu Jul 17, 2008 14:53 pm  'separate' and 'separated'
 

The phrasing "he became seperate" is very odd.

It would take a weird example, like twins who did everything together for years and were simply thought of as one unit, until they both started trying to showcase their individual identities. "I'm trying to become more seperate from my sister" -- but even so, it's a stretch.
Barb_D
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 13 Jun 2008
Posts: 474

'separate' and 'separated' Thu Jul 17, 2008 15:02 pm  'separate' and 'separated'
 

Barb_D wrote:
The phrasing "he became seperate" is very odd.

I know. That's why I used Don Quixote. But it's possible, right?

Separate: Archaic. Withdrawn from others; solitary.
Haihao
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 26 Oct 2006
Posts: 1389
Location: Japan

'separate' and 'separated' Thu Jul 17, 2008 15:07 pm  'separate' and 'separated'
 

An archaic use doesn't sound more plausible when used to refer to an older era. It just doesn't sound right, period.
Barb_D
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 13 Jun 2008
Posts: 474

'separate' and 'separated' Thu Jul 17, 2008 16:08 pm  'separate' and 'separated'
 

.
Wasn't Don Quixote written in Spanish? I imagine there have been quite a few English translations over the centuries. I wonder whether an archaic use of 'separate' would be found in modern translations -- or more likely in the centuries-old ones. Wink
.
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8265
Location: USA

'separate' and 'separated' Thu Jul 17, 2008 16:37 pm  'separate' and 'separated'
 

Yankee wrote:
.
Wasn't Don Quixote written in Spanish? I imagine there have been quite a few English translations over the centuries. I wonder whether an archaic use of 'separate' would be found in modern translations -- or more likely in the centuries-old ones. Wink
.

Wasn't it one of the first novels in the 16th century? I remember trying to read Don Quixote when I was a boy, and I really struggled with the book before i put it down. A few years ago, I read a new translation, and it made for an amazing read!
_________________
Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEFL Preparation & TOEFL Vocabulary
Learn more: How to Become an English Teacher
Ralf
Language Coach
Ralf Breheny

Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 1485
Location: EU (Ireland and Germany)

'separate' and 'separated' Thu Jul 17, 2008 16:46 pm  'separate' and 'separated'
 

This is a little off-topic, but I thought the Wikipedia write-up about the most recent translator (of Don Quixote) was interesting:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Grossman
.
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8265
Location: USA

'separate' and 'separated' Thu Jul 17, 2008 17:00 pm  'separate' and 'separated'
 

Hi Amy,

What a quote! I've just started a new thread.
Very Happy
_________________
Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEFL Preparation & TOEFL Vocabulary
Learn more: How to Become an English Teacher
Ralf
Language Coach
Ralf Breheny

Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 1485
Location: EU (Ireland and Germany)

'separate' and 'separated' Fri Jul 18, 2008 1:58 am  'separate' and 'separated'
 

Ralf wrote:
Wasn't it one of the first novels in the 16th century?

Exactly, Ralf. Unfortunately I came across that English version but ended up being made interested in it... Smile
Haihao
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 26 Oct 2006
Posts: 1389
Location: Japan

Display posts from previous:   
Rising and falling declaratives | We found the lamp being on/burning
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms 'separate' and 'separated' All times are GMT + 2 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on ESL EFL Forums
Omitting the subjectActive voice; What's the meaning of the word week in 'very week'?Materials for learning English or what is a way to learn English?I like doing something and I like to do something.Capitalization for directionsCheck an expression in a letter.Phrase "Waiting to wait""Reply" vs "Reply to"use of the verb "lack"Anybody/Somebody vs Anyone/Someoneas being/ being/ asAccommodationthe use of 'Jack' in English wordsVerbs start and beginActive and Passive"for" vs "to""last" vs "prolong"Is news countable or uncountable?'separate' and 'separated'

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail