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I want to say something like:

The system stores the crazygonuts data separately from the data feed.

I think this is wrong (maybe I am wrong in that), but I'm not sure exactly why. One alternative I thought of:

The system stores the crazygonuts data separate from the data feed.

I checked some dictionaries online, and I did not find separate listed as an adverb, so this also seems incorrect. I want to keep the verb (stores) in there. Is there any way I can keep this same sentence structure without sounding silly? If possible, I would like to use the word separate (or something sufficiently close, like distinctly); or is this formation doomed from the start?

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You could try "apart":

The system stores the crazygonuts data apart from the data feed.

Or you could re-arrange the sentence:

The system's crazygonuts data store is separate from the data feed.

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  • I kind of like the second one, although it does have a slightly different meaning. Thanks for the input. – jtpereyda May 23 '11 at 14:51
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I don't see anything wrong with 'separately from'. I'm not convinced there's anything wrong with 'stores the crazygonuts data (in a location that is) separate from (the location where) the data feed (is stored)'.

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Both forms are correct, and mean essentially the same thing

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  • They can't both be right: personally I feel "stored separate from" is a best a different meaning and at worst a mistake. – Tim Lymington supports Monica May 23 '11 at 21:30
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I don't see anything wrong with the sentence as it is. Separately is a perfectly fine adverb—consider "married, filing separately."

If you must change it, consider apart.

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  • I meant that "separate" is not an adverb. – jtpereyda May 23 '11 at 14:50

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