part time

USAGE SUMMARY

"part time" is a correct and usable term in written English.
You can use it to describe jobs that are completed on a less-than-full-time basis, e.g., "I'm currently working part time at a local retail store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Part Time.

The Economist

Part time forever?

The New York Times

I'm part time.

Independent

Even part time.

The New York Times

(They live here part time).

The New York Times

And what is "part time"?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

A part-time staffer?

The New York Times

More were working part-time.

The Economist

Part-time if need be?

The New Yorker

It's still a part-time affair.

The New York Times - Magazine

Management positions are mostly part-time.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a job, specify the exact number of hours considered "part time" to avoid ambiguity. For example, "This is a part time position, approximately 20 hours per week."

Common error

Avoid mixing capitalization styles. "Part time", "part-time", and "parttime" exist, but consistently use the form preferred by your context or style guide. "Part-time" is the most common and formally accepted form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "part time" primarily functions as an adjective modifying a noun (e.g., "part time job", "part time worker"). It can also function as an adverb, modifying a verb, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "part time" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe work or activities that require less than full-time hours. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, supported by numerous real-world examples across diverse sources like news media, scientific publications, and wikis. Although, the hyphenated form "part-time" is often preferred in formal writing, the key is consistent usage. When using "part time", specifying the approximate number of hours will avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "reduced hours" or "flexible schedule" can provide more nuanced descriptions, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced hours

Focuses on the reduced duration of work, rather than the type of employment.

flexible schedule

Highlights the adaptability and control over work hours, diverging from a fixed schedule.

fractional employment

Highlights that the worker is only employed for a fraction of the time, usually a fraction of a year.

temporary employment

Emphasizes the limited duration of the job, not necessarily the hours worked.

casual work

Implies a less formal and often less secure employment arrangement.

seasonal job

Related to work that's only available during a specific season.

freelance

Focuses on independent work rather than a set employer or hours.

per diem

Emphasizes payment by the day, regardless of hours worked.

job sharing

Two people share the responsibilities of one full-time position.

contract work

Emphasizes the contractual basis of the employment, potentially full or part time.

FAQs

How do I use "part time" in a sentence?

You can use "part time" as an adjective before a noun, like "part time job", or as an adverb modifying a verb, like "I work part time". For example, "She has a "part time job" at the library" or "He only works "part time" now that he's retired".

What's the difference between "part time" and "full time"?

"Part time" refers to working fewer hours than a full-time job. The exact number of hours varies by employer, but it's generally less than 35-40 hours per week. "Full time" typically means working 35-40 hours or more per week.

What are the benefits of working "part time"?

Some benefits of working "part time" include a more flexible schedule, more free time for other commitments, and reduced stress compared to working "full time".

Are "part-time" and "part time" interchangeable?

Yes, "part-time" (with a hyphen) and "part time" (without a hyphen) are generally interchangeable. However, "part-time" is more commonly used as an adjective. For clarity and consistency, choose one form and use it throughout your writing. Also consider "reduced hours".