What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sever
Example
The rope was severed by the sharp edge of the rock. [sever: verb]
Example
She decided to sever all ties with her toxic ex-boyfriend. [sever: verb]
Example
The country was severed into two parts after the war. [severed: past participle]
detach
Example
Please detach the coupon from the bottom of the page. [detach: verb]
Example
The painting was detached from the wall for cleaning. [detached: past participle]
Example
She tried to detach herself from the stressful situation and focus on her breathing. [detach: reflexive verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Detach is more commonly used than sever in everyday language. Detach is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while sever is less common and typically used in more formal or serious contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sever and detach?
While sever is typically associated with a formal or serious tone, detach is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
