independent: 独立的，不依靠任何人，不受任何人控制
例句:
I decided to move out of my parents house so I could become more independent.我决定搬出父母的房子，这样我就可以更加独立。
separate: 被看作一组事物中的另一个，或停止连接在一起
separate [seprt ， sepret]
单独的，独立的，分开的，不同的，不相关的，(使)分开，分离
例句:
As we went our separate ways， I thanked them for their hospitality.我们分道扬镳时，我感谢他们的好客。
Children remain separated from their parents， husbands from their wives.妻离子散。
类似例词区别:
①separate : 指把两个人或物分开，着重从原属一个整体中移居一部分或把两者隔开。
The north and south of the country are separated by a mountain range.这个国家的南北两部分被一条山脉隔开。
You can get a special device for separating egg whites from yolks.
你可以买一种把蛋白与蛋黄分开的专用器具。
The top and bottom sections are quite difficult to separate.顶部和底部很难分开。
②part : 多指使紧密相连的人或物分开，往往暗示最后分离的意味。
The curtains parted， revealing a darkened stage.幕布拉开，露出灯光转暗的舞台。
To be parted from him even for two days made her sad.就连跟他分开两天都会叫她难过。
③divorce : 特指两个或更多的互为依赖的事物的分离，尤指婚姻的合法解体。
They believed that art should be divorced from politics.他们认为艺术应该与政治分开。
When he was depressed， he felt utterly divorced from reality.他沮丧时便感到完全脱离了现实。
She's divorcing her husband.她正在和丈夫闹离婚。