apart
apart — adverb
1. with a measurable gap between two people or things — for example, three metres b
with a measurable gap between two people or things — for example, three metres between chairs, or two years between birthdays.
Amara planted the tomato seedlings about thirty centimetres apart in the garden bed.
[measure] + apart for spacing distance
The twin brothers were born only fourteen minutes apart on a snowy night in March.
[time] + apart for time gap
Stand a metre apart while waiting in line at the clinic, please.
Kalani and her grandmother live far apart, but they video-call every Sunday evening.
The two job interviews were scheduled three days apart, giving Lior time to prepare.
- together
describes things in the same place or moment
文法句型
[number/measure] + apart
[time] + apart
用法筆記
Almost always follows a measurement or time expression (five feet apart, two hours apart). Cannot stand alone before the noun like an adjective.
常見錯誤
2. so that one whole object ends up as several separate pieces, either by force or
so that one whole object ends up as several separate pieces, either by force or by gradual damage.
Hadiya took the old radio apart on the kitchen table to see how it worked.
take + apart for dismantling
The wooden chair finally fell apart after thirty years of family dinners.
fall + apart for breaking by itself
Aunt Rosa pulled the warm bread apart with her hands and gave each child a piece.
Be careful — that paper bag will rip apart if you put any more cans inside.
The mechanic took the engine apart, cleaned every piece, and put it back together.
- together
joined as one piece
文法句型
take/pull/fall/break + apart
用法筆記
Pairs with verbs of breaking, tearing, or dismantling (take, pull, rip, fall, break). Distinguish from sense 1: here there is no measurement; the focus is the splitting itself.
常見錯誤
3. if you set one fact or thing aside and do not count it, the rest of what you say
if you set one fact or thing aside and do not count it, the rest of what you say is true; said when one item is being left out of the discussion.
Cost apart, the new electric bicycle is perfect for Kalani's morning commute.
[noun] + apart for setting aside one factor
Joking apart, Dr. Tariq, when can the children safely return to school?
fixed phrase 'joking apart' to switch to a serious tone
The small kitchen apart, the apartment near the river suits our young family well.
One bad chapter apart, the novel kept Lior reading until two in the morning.
文法句型
[noun phrase] + apart
apart from + [noun phrase]
用法筆記
Comes AFTER the noun it excludes ('cost apart'), unlike 'apart from' which comes before. Often used to dismiss one negative point so a positive claim still stands.
常見錯誤
apart — adjective
1. no longer sharing a home with the husband, wife, or partner you have a serious r
no longer sharing a home with the husband, wife, or partner you have a serious relationship with — often because the couple is having problems or one person works far away.
Hadiya and his wife have been living apart for nearly a year while she works in Singapore.
live + apart for couples in different places
The Watanabe couple decided to live apart for six months before making any decision about divorce.
live + apart in a relationship context
Amara's parents were apart for three years, but they got back together last spring.
Sergeant Lopez and his husband have been apart for eight months while he serves overseas.
- together
sharing a home and life as a couple
文法句型
live/be + apart
apart for + [time period]
用法筆記
Always predicative — comes after 'be', 'live', or 'stay', never before the noun. Strongly suggests a romantic or marital context; for ordinary friends or family, use 'separated' or 'in different places'.