Separately

Separately is an English adverb meaning in a manner that is not together with others; it is used to indicate that actions are performed one at a time, or items are considered individually rather than as a group. It can modify verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses and is commonly found in phrases such as "priced separately," "sold separately," or "studied separately" to emphasize distinction or independence. The term contrasts with together, jointly, or collectively.

Etymology and form: Separately is formed from the adjective separate with the suffix -ly. The adjective separate derives from Latin separatus, from separare, meaning to set apart. The adverbial use of separately follows the standard English pattern of converting adjectives into adverbs with -ly, signaling manner or degree.

Usage notes: Separately can appear at the end of a sentence ("The two tests were administered separately.") or in the middle ("The tests were administered separately and then analyzed."). It is common in instructions, contracts, and scholarly writing to indicate that components or actions should be treated as distinct. It is not interchangeable with separate as an adjective (which describes a noun) nor with separately in contexts where a collective meaning is intended. In everyday language, it often appears with pricing, packaging, or procedural steps to indicate independence from other items or actions.