in parts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in parts" is correct and usable in written English.
You would generally use this phrase to refer to something that has been broken up into smaller components or sections. For example: "The lecture was divided into three parts; I found the first two parts boring, but the third part was interesting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In parts they're docudramas.

The New York Times - Arts

Only in parts.

The Economist

In parts.

The Guardian - Travel

They could be in parts.

The New York Times - Arts

NEWS travels slowly in parts of India.

The Economist

Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella is, in parts, magnificent.

Independent

Has to be scary in parts.

The New York Times

Well, true in parts.

The Guardian

And brilliant in parts, but mostly not.

The New York Times - Books

The recipe works in parts.

The Guardian - Music

And it is – in parts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in parts", ensure the context clearly indicates what the parts are. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands which specific sections or aspects are being referenced.

Common error

Avoid using "in parts" when referring to something that is meant to be a unified whole. This phrase implies that only some portions are being considered, which may not be appropriate if the intention is to address the entirety of the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in parts" primarily functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate that something is true, valid, or effective only to some degree or in specific sections. As Ludwig AI confirms, it highlights that not all aspects are included or affected. For example, "The movie was magnificent in parts" indicates that only some portions of the film were considered excellent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in parts" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, signaling that something applies only to specific sections or aspects, allowing for nuanced evaluations and precise descriptions. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for written English. It is frequently used across varied registers, from News & Media to Science, indicating its versatile applicability. When using "in parts", ensure clarity about which specific components are being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Common alternatives include "partially" or "in some respects", depending on the specific context and intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially

This alternative refers to something that is not complete or total but exists to some degree.

in some respects

This alternative highlights specific aspects or viewpoints from which something is valid or true.

to a certain extent

This alternative implies a limited degree to which something applies or is true.

in certain sections

This alternative specifically mentions that only some sections of something are being referred to.

in certain aspects

This alternative points out that specific aspects or features are being considered.

to some degree

This alternative suggests that something is true or effective, but not completely or absolutely.

selectively

This alternative describes something that applies only to certain choices or selections.

fragmentarily

This alternative suggests that something exists in incomplete or disconnected fragments.

piecemeal

This alternative indicates that something is done or achieved gradually, one piece at a time.

sectionally

This alternative focuses on specific sections or divisions of something.

FAQs

How can I use "in parts" in a sentence?

Use "in parts" to indicate that something is only true or applicable to some sections or aspects, for example: "The movie was good "in parts", but overall it was disappointing."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "in parts"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "partially", "in some respects", or "to a certain extent".

When is it appropriate to use "in parts"?

It's appropriate to use "in parts" when you want to specify that only certain sections, elements, or aspects of something are being discussed or are relevant, implying that the rest is not.

Is there a difference between saying "in parts" and saying "partially"?

While both phrases suggest incompleteness, "in parts" typically refers to distinct sections or components, whereas "partially" suggests a degree or extent of something without necessarily implying separate sections.