only in part

USAGE SUMMARY

"only in part" is a phrase that is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is true only to a certain extent and implies that there is more that could be said. For example: The report was accurate only in part; there were many inaccuracies due to mistakes in the data.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Only in part.

The Economist

The Israelis succeeded only in part.

The New Yorker

I do, but only in part.

The New York Times - Books

Yes, we are, but only in part.

The Economist

Sometimes the protests succeeded only in part.

The New York Times - Science

It is navigable only in part.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was jesting, but only in part.

The New York Times

True, in part, but only in part.

The New York Times - Arts

That's true but only in part.

The New York Times

One of her workers agreed, but only in part.

The Guardian

That objection would be fair only in part.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only in part" to acknowledge limitations or nuances in a statement, avoiding overgeneralizations. This adds credibility and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid presenting a statement qualified by "only in part" as a complete truth. Always provide additional context or explanation to clarify the limitations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only in part" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically limiting the scope or degree to which a statement is true or applicable. Ludwig shows examples across various contexts where it introduces a qualification or reservation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only in part" is a versatile adverbial modifier used to express that a statement is true or accurate to a limited extent. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it frequently appears in news, scientific, and encyclopedia articles, demonstrating its broad applicability across diverse contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. When using this phrase, ensure you provide adequate context to clarify the limitations and avoid overstating the partial truth. Alternative phrases like ""partially true"" or ""to a limited extent"" can be used to convey similar meanings, but "only in part" offers a concise and widely accepted way to qualify a statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not entirely

Directly indicates that something is not completely the case.

partially true

This alternative directly states that something is not entirely true, but has elements of truth.

in some measure

This phrase conveys that something is true or effective to a certain degree.

to a limited extent

This phrase implies that the statement or action is restricted in scope or degree.

in certain respects

Highlights that a statement is true only when considering specific aspects.

to a degree

Similar to "in some measure", suggesting a partial effect or truth.

up to a point

Suggests that something is valid or accurate only within certain boundaries.

within limits

Emphasizes restrictions or boundaries on the extent of something.

qualifiedly

Indicates that something is true but with reservations or limitations.

subject to conditions

Highlights that something is true or applicable if certain conditions are met.

FAQs

How can I use "only in part" in a sentence?

Use "only in part" to indicate that something is true or accurate to a limited extent. For example, "The analysis was correct, but "only in part", because it didn't account for external factors."

What does "only in part" mean?

"Only in part" means that something is true or correct to some degree, but not entirely or completely. It acknowledges limitations or qualifications in a statement.

Are there alternatives to using "only in part"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "partially true", "in some measure", or "to a limited extent" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "only in part" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "only in part" when you want to acknowledge that a statement has some validity but is not entirely accurate or complete. It's useful for adding nuance and precision to your writing.