What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
isolation
Example
After testing positive for COVID-19, she had to go into isolation. [isolation: noun]
Example
He felt a sense of isolation after moving to a new city where he didn't know anyone. [isolation: noun]
separation
Example
The couple decided to get a legal separation before filing for divorce. [separation: noun]
Example
She felt a sense of separation from her family after moving to a different country. [separation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Separation is more commonly used than isolation in everyday language. Separation is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while isolation is less common and often used in specific situations such as medical or social isolation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between isolation and separation?
Both isolation and separation can be used in formal and informal contexts, but isolation may be more associated with technical or medical language due to its specific usage in those fields.
