Do Divide And Separate Mean the Same Thing?

 

Today we answer a question from Alex.

Question:

Our reader Alex writes, “I want to know about the difference between divide and separate. Thank you!”

Answer:

Dear Alex,

Thank you for asking such a good question!

The words divide and separate are similar, but also have differences, depending on how each is used.

Let us take one word at a time. Divide can be used as a verb or a noun. Merriam Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary defines the verb divide this way: ”to separate (something) into two or more parts or pieces.” Did you notice the word “separate” is part of the definition for divide?

The verb divide is often followed by the word “into,” as you will note in this example:

The class is divided into four groups.

Now, divide also can be used as a noun. In the United States, it can be an actual, physical line, as in this example:

“The Continental¹ Divide in North America is a line of hills or mountains from which rivers empty.”

As a noun, divide can be a line that one cannot see, such as a line between two or more groups of people with different opinions or beliefs. For example, you could use it when talking about a political dispute.

“We must bridge the divide between Democrats² and Republicans.”

So how is separate different from divide?

Here is one difference; you pronounce separate differently depending on how you use it.

When used as a verb, separate is defined this way: to cause (two or more people or things) to stop being together, joined, or connected. Here is an example:

“She stepped in to separate the two men who were fighting.”

It is pronounced like this: sep-puh-rate.

When separate is an adjective, pronounce the last syllable³ of the word as “ret.”

In the following sentence, separate is used as an adjective:

“The boys and girls have separate rooms.”

And That’s Ask a Teacher!

I’m Anne Ball.

Words in This Story

pronounce – v. to make a sound with one’s voice

syllable – n. any part into which a word is divided when it is pronounced

1 continental   

adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的

参考例句：

• A continental climate is different from an insular one.大陆性气候不同于岛屿气候。
• The most ancient parts of the continental crust are 4000 million years old.大陆地壳最古老的部分有40亿年历史。

2 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 syllable   

n.音节；vt.分音节

参考例句：

• You put too much emphasis on the last syllable.你把最后一个音节读得太重。
• The stress on the last syllable is light.最后一个音节是轻音节。