done their part

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "done their part" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has fulfilled their responsibilities or contributions in a particular situation or task. Example: "Everyone in the team has done their part to ensure the project was completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They had done their part.

The New York Times - Science

"They have done their part".

The New Yorker

The professionals have done their part.

The New York Times

The artists have done their part.

The New York Times

The Nats have done their part.

The New York Times

"They've done their part, and I can't do mine.

The New York Times

So far, the Horned Frogs have done their part.

The New York Times - Sports

They had done their part by finally winning.

The New York Times - Sports

"At least Colbert and Stewart have done their part.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"The offense had done their part," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

After Loquasto and Ivey Long had done their part, she turned the spotlight on the chorus.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "done their part", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific task or responsibility has been completed. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "done their part" implies complete resolution of a problem. It simply means an individual or group has fulfilled their specific role or responsibility within a larger effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "done their part" functions as a predicate in sentences, indicating that a subject has completed their assigned or expected contribution to a task or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically sound and suitable for use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "done their part" is a grammatically sound and common expression used to indicate that someone has fulfilled their responsibilities or contributed adequately to a specific task. Ludwig AI analysis confirms the expression is valid and provides numerous real-world examples from reputable sources. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly defines the completed task to avoid ambiguity. Although "done their part" is suitable for most situations, consider using more formal alternatives, such as "fulfilled their obligation" in highly professional or academic contexts. It is frequently found in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made their contribution

General term for offering something to a collective effort.

played their role

Highlights the contribution of each individual in a team or group effort.

contributed their share

Focuses on the idea of contributing a fair or expected amount.

fulfilled their obligation

Emphasizes a sense of duty or requirement that has been met.

discharged their responsibility

A more formal way of saying they completed their assigned tasks.

carried out their duties

Stresses the performance of tasks that are part of one's job or role.

shouldered their responsibility

Highlights the acceptance and handling of responsibility.

performed their function

Focuses on the specific role or purpose someone fulfills.

taken care of their business

Informal way of saying they handled their tasks or responsibilities.

chipped in

Casual term for contributing to a group effort.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "done their part" to sound more formal?

Consider using more formal alternatives such as "fulfilled their obligation", "discharged their responsibility", or "carried out their duties" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when someone says they've "done their part"?

It means they have completed their assigned tasks or fulfilled their responsibilities in a particular situation or project. It implies a contribution to a larger effort, but not necessarily a complete resolution.

Is it appropriate to use "done their part" in a professional setting?

Yes, "done their part" is generally acceptable in professional settings, especially when recognizing contributions within a team. However, for extremely formal communications, consider alternatives like "made their contribution" or "played their role".

What's the difference between "done their part" and "done their best"?

"Done their part" implies fulfilling a specific responsibility or role, while "done their best" suggests exerting maximum effort, regardless of the outcome or assigned duties. The first focuses on contribution; the second focuses on effort.