The Correct Way of Spelling Separate

English pronunciation can be very difficult because there isn’t a single, all-encompassing rule about pronouncing words. The first “ch” sounds completely different for the word chemist, and the verb change. However, this is something English readers just have to learn and memorize.

Definition of Separate

photo of three signs between apartment blocks that reads nothing can separate us — Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash

Separate describes something viewed independently, apart, distinct, and different. Separate is an adjective but also can be used as a verb.

Separate, when used as a verb to describe moving things apart, being separated from a group, or acting as dividing walls. Separating means breaking up, decoupling, disconnecting, or creating a boundary.

Oxford English Dictionary claims that the word “separate” is among the thousand most common words in the English language. Thus, it is even more important to have the word spelled correctly!

Separate comes from the Latin word separatus, meaning to separate. It isn’t a must to know the etymologic origin of the word; however, it’s a fun fact to know.

How Do You Spell Separate?

So is it separate, or seperate? Let’s take a look at this common mistake.

Separate is one of the most common misspelled words in the English language. Some people think separate and seperate have the same relationship as affect and effect.

Affect is a verb that means to cause an effect on a person or a thing. There is also effect, which is a change that results from something being done or occurring.

However, separate and seperate aren’t like that. Separate can be used as an adjective or a verb, depending on the context.

Seperate, on the other hand, is just an error. It isn’t correct spelling at all.

Let’s take a look at an example of a sentence with both uses separate:

Boulgour and couscous are two separate things!
Separate the egg whites; we are going to put that later.

To Wrap Up

It is important to respect the rules and guidelines of spelling so that you will not take your words and misspell them. It also benefits you to know the definition of words, be aware of the different rules of spelling, and know the correct way of spelling. After all, spelling is what a language is made of.