student asking question

Can I use the word "divorce" even though it does not refer to humans' relationships?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Great question. The word "divorce" has two uses. When it is used to talk about people it is referring to an official or legal process to end a marriage. However, when not referring to people it is used simply to mean a separation. Therefore, you can use the word divorce as a kind of synonym for separation in some cases. Ex: Why is there such a divorce between the arts and the sciences? Ex: I don't think you divorce the issues of politics and the environment.

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