Explanation at your level:
When things are apart, they are not together. Imagine two friends sitting far away from each other. They are apart. You can use this word when you talk about distance. It is simple and very useful for everyday life.
Use apart to talk about physical distance. For example, 'The houses are two miles apart.' You can also use it to say something is broken. 'The toy fell apart.' It helps you describe how things are placed or if they are in pieces.
At this level, you can use apart in more complex ways. Use 'apart from' to mean 'except for.' For instance, 'Apart from the noise, the hotel was perfect.' It is also great for describing how people or things are different from others, like 'His style sets him apart.'
In B2, you will notice apart used in phrasal verbs. 'Take something apart' means to disassemble it. 'Fall apart' can describe a relationship or an object losing its structure. It is a key word for expressing nuance in how things are connected or disconnected.
Advanced learners use apart to discuss abstract concepts. You might say, 'The two theories are poles apart,' meaning they are completely different. It is also common in academic writing to distinguish categories or arguments, ensuring that ideas are kept apart for clarity. It adds precision to your critical thinking.
At the C2 level, apart carries literary and metaphorical weight. It describes the disintegration of social structures or the profound isolation of a character. You might explore the etymological roots of 'setting something apart' as a form of consecration or distinction. It is a versatile tool for nuanced storytelling and sophisticated argumentation, allowing you to bridge the gap between physical reality and abstract categorization.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Apart means separated or in pieces.
- It is an adverb, not an adjective.
- Commonly used in phrasal verbs like 'fall apart'.
- Distinguish it from the phrase 'a part'.
Hey there! Think of apart as the opposite of 'together.' When two things are apart, there is a gap between them.
It is a super versatile word. You can use it for physical distance, like living apart from a friend, or for abstract concepts, like keeping your work life apart from your personal life.
Sometimes, it also means to break something into smaller pieces. If you take a clock apart, you are dismantling it. It is all about separation and distinctness!
The word apart comes from the Old French phrase a part, which literally means 'to one side.' This traces back to the Latin a (from) and pars (part).
It entered English in the 16th century. Originally, it was used to describe placing something to one side, away from others. Over time, it evolved to describe the state of being separated or even the act of falling to pieces.
It is a classic example of how two simple words—'a' and 'part'—merged to create a powerful concept of distance and division.
You will hear apart in many contexts. It is very common to use it with 'from' to show what is being separated.
In formal writing, you might see it used to discuss distinct categories, like 'keeping facts apart from opinions.' In casual speech, we often use it in phrasal verbs like 'fall apart' or 'take apart.'
Remember, it is an adverb. You don't usually use it to describe a noun directly; instead, it modifies the verb or the state of the subject.
1. Tear apart: To examine something very closely or to destroy it emotionally. Example: The critics tore the movie apart.
2. Fall apart: To break into pieces or lose emotional control. Example: My old shoes are falling apart.
3. Apart from: Except for or besides. Example: Apart from the rain, it was a great day.
4. Set apart: To make someone or something special or different. Example: Her honesty sets her apart from the others.
5. Worlds apart: To be very different in opinion or lifestyle. Example: We are worlds apart in our political views.
Apart is an adverb and does not have plural forms or articles. It is pronounced /əˈpɑːrt/ in both UK and US English, with the stress on the second syllable.
It often appears in patterns like 'be + apart' or 'take + object + apart.' It rhymes with 'heart,' 'start,' 'part,' 'chart,' and 'smart.'
Be careful not to confuse it with 'a part' (two words), which means a piece of a whole. If you can replace it with 'a piece,' it should be two words!
Fun Fact
It combines 'a' and 'part' to mean 'to the side'.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'r' sound at the end in non-rhotic accents.
Strong 'r' sound.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'a' at the start
- Dropping the 'r' in US English
- Stressing the first syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
moderate
moderate
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adverb placement
They live apart.
Phrasal verbs
Take apart.
Prepositional phrases
Apart from.
Examples by Level
We live apart.
live separately
adverb after verb
The toys are apart.
not together
adverb describing state
Keep them apart.
don't touch
imperative
They stand apart.
far from each other
adverb
The pages are apart.
not joined
adverb
Sit apart, please.
with space
adverb
Put them apart.
separate them
phrasal verb
Hold them apart.
keep distance
adverb
The two cities are 50 miles apart.
My watch fell apart yesterday.
He took the engine apart.
We have been apart for a week.
The brothers live apart now.
Keep the cats apart.
They are worlds apart in age.
The fence keeps the fields apart.
Apart from the rain, we had fun.
She sets herself apart with her hard work.
The group drifted apart over time.
I took the computer apart to clean it.
The argument tore the family apart.
Apart from that, I agree.
The pieces were kept apart.
They were apart during the war.
His talent sets him apart from his peers.
The plan fell apart at the last minute.
Apart from the cost, it is a good deal.
He tore the contract apart.
The two cultures are poles apart.
They were torn apart by circumstances.
Keep your work and home life apart.
The system is falling apart.
His philosophy sets him apart from his contemporaries.
The narrative structure fell apart under scrutiny.
Apart from a few minor errors, the report is excellent.
The two factions are miles apart ideologically.
She felt apart from the rest of the group.
The machine was taken apart for inspection.
The societal fabric is tearing apart.
He kept his professional life apart from his personal life.
The artist's work stands apart from the mainstream.
The empire began to fall apart from within.
Apart from the inherent risks, the mission was sound.
They were worlds apart in their metaphysical beliefs.
The delicate mechanism was carefully taken apart.
She felt apart from the world around her.
The argument was torn apart by the professor.
A deep chasm set them apart.
Synonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"fall apart at the seams"
to fail completely
The business fell apart at the seams.
casual"tear someone apart"
to criticize harshly
The boss tore him apart in the meeting.
casual"poles apart"
completely different
Their ideas are poles apart.
neutral"take something apart"
to analyze or dismantle
We need to take this argument apart.
neutral"apart from the crowd"
to be unique
She always stood apart from the crowd.
literary"a world apart"
very different experience
Living there was a world apart.
neutralEasily Confused
sounds identical
a part = piece; apart = separated
I am a part of the team vs. We are apart.
both imply distance
away = movement; apart = state
He went away vs. They live apart.
both imply separation
aside = to the side; apart = separated
Put it aside vs. Keep them apart.
similar meaning
separate can be an adjective
They are separate vs. They are apart.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + verb + apart
They live apart.
Apart from + noun + , + clause
Apart from that, it is fine.
Verb + object + apart
He took the car apart.
Subject + be + worlds apart
They are worlds apart.
Subject + be + torn apart
The family was torn apart.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
'A part' means a piece; 'apart' means separated.
They are similar, but 'apart from' is more versatile.
Apart is an adverb and doesn't modify nouns directly.
Fall apart implies complete disintegration.
When comparing, you need 'from'.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a puzzle being pulled apart.
When Native Speakers Use It
When things break or people separate.
Cultural Insight
Used in many idioms about relationships.
Grammar Shortcut
Always check if you mean 'a piece' (a part).
Say It Right
Clear 'r' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as an adjective.
Did You Know?
It comes from French.
Study Smart
Learn it with 'fall apart'.
Rhyme Time
Rhymes with start.
Context Check
Use it to show distance.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
A-PART: A piece is a part; to be apart is to be away from the piece.
Visual Association
Two puzzle pieces with a gap between them.
Word Web
Challenge
Try describing your room using the word 'apart'.
Word Origin
Old French/Latin
Original meaning: to one side
Cultural Context
Be careful when using 'apartheid' as it refers to a specific, tragic historical system of racial segregation.
Used frequently in daily life to describe distance or emotional states.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- keep work apart
- take the project apart
at school
- sit apart
- apart from the others
travel
- miles apart
- apart from the hotel
daily life
- fall apart
- drift apart
Conversation Starters
"How do you keep your work and home life apart?"
"Have you ever had to take something apart?"
"What sets you apart from your friends?"
"Do you think it is hard to live apart from family?"
"What is something that has fallen apart recently?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you felt apart from others.
Write about a machine you took apart.
Explain why keeping goals apart is helpful.
Reflect on a relationship that drifted apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is an adverb.
'Apart' means separated; 'a part' means a piece.
Yes, e.g., 'two weeks apart'.
It is used in all registers.
No.
Yes, 'Apart from this...'
Together.
Yes, very common.
Test Yourself
The two friends live __ the street.
Apart describes distance.
What does 'take apart' mean?
Dismantle is the correct synonym.
'Apart' is an adjective.
It is an adverb.
Word
Meaning
Matching phrases to meanings.
The toy fell apart.
Their views are poles ___.
Poles apart is the idiom.
Which word is a synonym for 'apartness'?
Isolation means being apart.
You can use 'apart' to describe a noun directly.
It is an adverb.
Apart from that, it was good.
Keep the dogs ___.
Keep them separated.
Score: /10
Summary
Apart is a versatile adverb that describes the state of being separated, whether physically, conceptually, or by disintegration.
- Apart means separated or in pieces.
- It is an adverb, not an adjective.
- Commonly used in phrasal verbs like 'fall apart'.
- Distinguish it from the phrase 'a part'.
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a puzzle being pulled apart.
When Native Speakers Use It
When things break or people separate.
Cultural Insight
Used in many idioms about relationships.
Grammar Shortcut
Always check if you mean 'a piece' (a part).
Example
We decided to live apart for a while to reassess our long-term goals.
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Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More Other words
abate
C1To become less intense, active, or severe, or to reduce the amount or degree of something. It is most commonly used to describe the subsiding of natural phenomena, emotions, or legal nuisances.
abcarndom
C1To intentionally deviate from a fixed sequence or established pattern in favor of a randomized or non-linear approach. It is often used in technical or analytical contexts to describe the process of breaking a structured flow to achieve a more varied result.
abcenthood
C1The state, condition, or period of being absent, particularly in a role where one's presence is expected or required. It often refers to a prolonged or systemic lack of participation in a social, parental, or professional capacity.
abcitless
C1A noun referring to the state of being devoid of essential logical progression or a fundamental missing component within a theoretical framework. It describes a specific type of structural absence that renders a system or argument incomplete.
abcognacy
C1The state of being unaware or lacking knowledge about a specific subject, situation, or fact. It describes a condition of non-recognition or a gap in cognitive awareness, often used in technical or specialized academic contexts.
abdocion
C1Describing a movement, force, or logical process that leads away from a central axis or established standard. It is primarily used in specialized technical contexts to describe muscles pulling a limb away from the body or ideas that diverge from a main thesis.
abdocly
C1Describing something that is tucked away, recessed, or occurring in a hidden manner that is not immediately visible to the observer. It is primarily used in technical or academic contexts to denote structural elements or biological processes that are concealed within a larger system.
aberration
B2A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome. It refers to a temporary change or a deviation from the standard path or rule.
abfacible
C1To systematically strip or remove the external surface or facade of a structure or material for analysis, restoration, or cleaning. It specifically refers to the technical act of uncovering underlying layers while preserving the integrity of the core material.
abfactency
C1Describing a quality or state of being fundamentally disconnected from empirical facts or objective reality. It is typically used to characterize arguments or theories that are logically consistent within themselves but have no basis in actual evidence. This term highlights a sophisticated departure from what is observable in favor of what is purely speculative.
