is a partial list

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is a partial list" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating that the list provided does not include all possible items or elements. For example, "The following is a partial list of the ingredients needed for the recipe." Alternative expressions include "is an incomplete list," "is a limited list," and "is a subset of the list."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a partial list.

The New Yorker

What follows is a partial list.

The New York Times

Below is a partial list of restaurants.

Cornell University

This is a partial list, and a glorious one.

The New Yorker

Here is a partial list of upcoming expeditions.

Columbia University

The following is a partial list of deadlines and requirements.

Stanford University

Below is a partial list of student religious organizations.

University of Pennsylvania

Here is a partial list of productions scheduled in the months ahead.

The New York Times

Here is a partial list of what's coming: Vehicle type: Two-passenger three-wheeler.

The New York Times

Here is a partial list of 9/11-related ceremonies in the city.

The New York Times

The following is a partial list of the games currently registered to be at Showcase.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Position the phrase as a lead-in sentence or parenthetical note to immediately set the scope for the reader

Common error

Writers often combine "is a partial list" with trailing punctuation like "..." or words like "etc.". Since the phrase already confirms the list is incomplete, these additions are redundant and can make the sentence look cluttered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is a partial list" functions as a declarative clause fragment composed of the linking verb "is" and a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to categorize the subject as a subset of a larger whole, establishing an explicit boundary for the information presented.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

After analyzing the provided data, Ludwig concludes that "is a partial list" is an essential phrase for writers who value informational integrity. It is highly versatile, appearing in diverse contexts ranging from political reporting in The New Yorker to technical documentation at Stanford University. The phrase effectively balances the need for brevity with the requirement for accuracy. Ludwig AI highlights that while it is a stable and correct construction, it is most powerful when used to introduce lists that are too extensive to be fully itemized, thereby providing a clear roadmap for the reader without overwhelming them with data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is an incomplete list

More direct and slightly less formal than using "partial".

is a non-exhaustive list

Common in legal and technical writing to indicate further items exist.

is a selection of

Suggests that the items listed were specifically chosen or curated.

is a sample of

Implies the list represents a typical subset of a larger group.

includes but is not limited to

A classic legalistic construction used to ensure the list remains open-ended.

is an abbreviated list

Indicates the list has been shortened for the sake of brevity.

represents a portion of

More abstract, focusing on the ratio of the part to the whole.

is a curated list

Adds the nuance that the partial nature is intentional and qualitative.

provides a subset of

Used often in scientific or mathematical contexts to define groups.

serves as a partial directory

Restricts the usage specifically to lists of names or addresses.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "is a partial list"?

It indicates that the items provided do not represent the entire set. It is often used for brevity or when a full list is too long or not yet fully known.

Can I use "is an incomplete list" instead?

Yes, you can use "is an incomplete list" as a more direct alternative, though it may sometimes carry a slight negative connotation of being unfinished.

Is "is a partial list" formal?

Absolutely. It is the preferred professional and academic way to introduce a subset of data, as seen in publications like "The New York Times".

What is a more formal way to say "is a partial list"?

In legal or highly technical documents, "is a non-exhaustive list" is often considered more precise and formal.