Imagine you are by yourself on a small island. There are no other people around you. You are isolated.
It means being all alone.
A house far away from other houses is isolated.
A person who feels alone, even in a crowd, can feel isolated.
Imagine you are by yourself, like a single tree in a big field. That's a bit like being isolated.
It means being alone or away from other people or things.
A house far away from other houses can be isolated.
Sometimes, a person might feel isolated even in a crowd, meaning they feel disconnected from others.
When we describe something as isolated, it fundamentally means it's set apart or detached. At a C1 level, we can explore the nuances of this separation. An isolated place, for instance, might be geographically remote, making access difficult. For a person, isolation can range from physical solitude to a profound emotional or social disconnectedness, where one feels a lack of understanding or belonging within a group. Furthermore, we can talk about isolating factors, which are conditions or circumstances that contribute to this state of being alone or separate. This term, therefore, carries connotations of both physical and psychological detachment.
§ Understanding 'Isolated'
The adjective 'isolated' is a versatile word in English, used to describe a state of being alone or set apart from others. This can apply to physical locations, people, or even abstract concepts like feelings or situations. Its core meaning revolves around a lack of connection or presence with others.
§ Grammatical Usage
'Isolated' is an adjective, meaning it modifies nouns. It can be used in two main ways:
- Attributively: Before the noun it describes.
- Predicatively: After a linking verb (like 'to be').
- Attributive Example
- An isolated village.
- Predicative Example
- She felt isolated.
§ Common Prepositions with 'Isolated'
When using 'isolated' to describe a person or thing being separate *from* something else, the preposition 'from' is almost always used. Other prepositions can be used depending on the context, but 'from' is the most common for expressing separation.
- Usage with 'from'
- Describes separation or detachment.
The small island was completely isolated from the mainland.
After moving to a new city, she felt isolated from her friends and family.
§ Contextual Examples
Let's explore various ways to use 'isolated' in sentences, illustrating its application to different subjects.
Describing Places
When referring to locations, 'isolated' often implies remoteness or a lack of easy access to other areas.
They chose to live in an isolated cabin deep in the woods.
The research station was isolated by heavy snow for several weeks.
Describing People or Groups
When applied to people, 'isolated' can refer to physical solitude or a feeling of emotional or social disconnection.
The elderly woman felt isolated after her husband passed away.
Despite being in a crowd, he often felt isolated and misunderstood.
Describing Feelings or Situations
'Isolated' can also describe abstract concepts, emphasizing their distinctness or detachment from other elements.
The incident was not isolated; there had been similar events before.
He felt an isolated sense of joy amidst his sadness.
§ Practice Sentences
Try to complete these sentences using 'isolated' correctly, paying attention to the grammar and prepositions.
- The small community was _________ by the heavy snowfall.
- She felt _________ from her classmates because she was new to the school.
- Living in such an _________ area, they rarely saw other people.
- The artist worked in an _________ studio, preferring solitude for creativity.
Grammaire à connaître
Adjectives often appear before the noun they describe. 'Isolated' can be used this way to describe a noun like 'island' or 'community'.
The isolated cabin stood on a remote mountain.
'Isolated' can be used as a predicate adjective, meaning it follows a linking verb (like 'to be,' 'feel,' 'seem') and describes the subject.
She felt isolated after moving to a new city.
Adjectives can be modified by adverbs of degree (e.g., 'very,' 'extremely,' 'quite') to express the intensity of the isolation.
He was quite isolated during his time abroad.
The preposition 'from' often follows 'isolated' to specify what or whom someone/something is separate from.
The village was isolated from the rest of the world by mountains.
When referring to a state of being alone, 'isolated' can be used interchangeably with 'alone' or 'lonely,' though 'isolated' emphasizes the separation more than the feeling.
He spent an isolated childhood, without many friends.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Imagine an 'ISLAND' (sounds like 'isolat-') that's completely 'ED' (like 'end') off from everything else. So, 'ISLAND-ED' = isolated.
Association visuelle
Picture a lone lighthouse standing on a tiny rock in the middle of a vast, empty ocean. It's completely isolated from the mainland and any other signs of life. The light from the lighthouse sweeps across the dark water, emphasizing its solitude.
Word Web
Défi
Describe a time you felt isolated, or describe an isolated place you have visited or would like to visit.
Teste-toi 30 questions
The old house stood all alone on the hill, completely ___ from the village.
The house was alone and separate from the village.
Sometimes, when I'm in a new city, I feel a little ___ because I don't know anyone.
The feeling of not knowing anyone in a new city can make someone feel disconnected.
The small island was very ___, with no other land nearby.
An island with no other land nearby is separate and alone.
After moving to a new country, she felt ___ from her friends and family.
Moving far away can make someone feel disconnected from loved ones.
The scientist worked in an ___ laboratory, far away from the city.
A laboratory far from the city is separate and alone.
He felt ___ when he was the only one who didn't understand the joke.
Not understanding a joke when everyone else does can make someone feel disconnected from the group.
Which of these means being alone?
Isolated means being alone or separate from others.
The small cabin in the woods was very _____ from other houses.
An isolated place is separate from others.
If you feel _____, you might feel disconnected from friends.
Feeling isolated means feeling disconnected from others.
An isolated island is far away from other land.
If an island is isolated, it means it is separate and far from other land.
If you are with many people, you are isolated.
Being isolated means being alone, not with many people.
A person can feel isolated even when they are in a crowd.
You can feel isolated emotionally, even if you are physically surrounded by people.
The lighthouse was by itself.
She felt alone and disconnected.
The village was remote and hard to reach.
Read this aloud:
Can you describe a time you felt isolated, either physically or emotionally?
Focus: isolated, emotionally
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Read this aloud:
In what ways can technology both connect people and make them feel more isolated?
Focus: technology, connect, isolated
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Read this aloud:
What are some strategies people can use to combat feelings of isolation?
Focus: strategies, combat, isolation
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The remote village remained largely ___ from the influences of modern society, preserving its ancient customs.
The context implies a separation from modern influences, making 'isolated' the most fitting choice.
Despite being surrounded by people, she often felt an ___ sense of isolation, a profound disconnect from those around her.
The sentence suggests a deep-seated and internal feeling, which 'inherent' captures best.
The newly discovered species had evolved in complete ___ for millennia, leading to its unique biological characteristics.
The phrase 'evolved in complete ___' strongly suggests a lack of external contact, making 'isolation' the appropriate choice.
A hermit chooses an isolated lifestyle to foster deeper social connections.
A hermit intentionally chooses an isolated lifestyle to separate themselves from social interactions, not to foster deeper ones.
The 'isolated' component in a circuit board refers to its ability to freely transmit electrical signals to other parts.
In a circuit board, an 'isolated' component is separated to prevent electrical interference or uncontrolled signal transmission, not to facilitate it.
The feeling of being 'isolated' can sometimes be a catalyst for introspection and self-discovery.
Many people find that periods of isolation, while potentially challenging, can lead to deep introspection and a greater understanding of oneself.
Listen for the emotional state described in contrast to the physical setting.
Consider the purpose behind the station's location.
Focus on the type of isolation experienced by the individual.
Read this aloud:
Discuss the philosophical implications of societal isolation in the digital age, considering both its potential benefits and drawbacks.
Focus: societal isolation, digital age, philosophical implications
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Read this aloud:
Elaborate on how an isolated incident, seemingly minor at the time, can have profound and far-reaching consequences on an individual's life trajectory.
Focus: isolated incident, profound, far-reaching consequences, life trajectory
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Read this aloud:
Compare and contrast the concept of an 'isolated genius' with the collaborative nature of modern scientific discovery, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
Focus: isolated genius, collaborative nature, modern scientific discovery, advantages and disadvantages
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