partial

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'partial' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is only part of something else. For example, "She only had a partial understanding of the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a partial but positive and practical answer to the conundrum of English devolution".

The Guardian

Because if the Tories emerge as the largest single party, they and their cheerleaders will claim at least a partial victory no matter how distant they are from a Commons majority.

The Guardian - Opinion

A more business-friendly regulatory regime and the new security of the City of London from European interference will enhance competitiveness and compensate for the partial loss of access to the European market".

The Guardian

A $6bn £4bnn) proposal for a form of transportation linking LA and San Francisco, Hyperloop would provide subsonic air travel where pods travel in a partial vacuum within a 350 mile-long tube allowing commuters to travel between the American cities in just 30 minutes (faster than even a commercial aeroplane journey).

The Guardian

That seems to have been the moment when Barclays abandoned its freshly-minted pledges about paying less and instead threw money at the would-be defectors to persuade them to stay (with only partial success) in order to "defend the franchise".

The Guardian - Business

Republicans failed in their latest attempt to wield the threat of a partial government shutdown as a weapon of protest against Barack Obama's immigration policies on Monday, with Democrats and the White House increasingly confident they have the upper-hand in the showdown.

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 7.13pm AEST10:13 If you read my longer blog post from earlier today (thanks for that, given it contained a Dr Hook anecdote).. you'll know that my commentary this evening is entirely partial.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We don't accept partial payment," she was told by the mortgage lender.

The Guardian - Opinion

The protests, which organisers say have had widespread public support, have forced a partial U-turn by local transport chiefs, who have agreed to restore free travel for disabled people and offered half-price tickets for elderly citizens.

The Guardian

"Norway is the 10th highest contributor to the EU budget – despite not being a member – and it took Switzerland nine years to negotiate and implement partial access to the single market.

The Guardian - Business

The move ends the partial immunity from which, as a senator, Berlusconi benefited, though his lawyers have dismissed his arrest as a possibility.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "partial", ensure the context clearly indicates what the whole or complete version would be. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "partial" when you mean "impartial". "Partial" means biased or incomplete, while "impartial" means unbiased or neutral. Ensure you're using the correct term to accurately convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "partial" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something is incomplete, biased, or only a part of the whole. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment and the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "partial" functions as an adjective indicating incompleteness, bias, or a limited extent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples highlighting its prevalence in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to differentiate "partial" from "impartial" to maintain clarity. Employing "partial" effectively requires considering the specific context and intended nuance, ensuring the modified noun's limited or biased nature is clearly understood. Remember to avoid using "partial" when you mean "impartial".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incomplete

Describes something not whole or finished; lacking some parts.

limited

Implies a restriction or constraint on the extent or degree.

fragmentary

Suggests something broken into pieces or existing only in fragments.

biased

Indicates a preference or inclination that prevents impartiality.

prejudiced

Implies a preconceived judgment or opinion, often negative, that is not based on reason or experience.

part time

Referring to work that is not full time, only a fraction of the full working hours.

fractional

Relates to a fraction or a small part of something.

imperfect

Describes something with flaws or defects; not complete or ideal.

localized

Limited to or affecting a particular area.

redacted

Describes text that has been edited to remove sensitive information.

FAQs

How to use "partial" in a sentence?

You can use "partial" to describe something that is not complete or only a part of something else. For instance, "The agreement resulted in a "partial success"" or "The investigation provided only a "partial explanation"".

What can I say instead of "partial"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "incomplete", "limited", or "biased".

Which is correct, "partial" or "impartial"?

"Partial" and "impartial" have opposite meanings. "Partial" means biased or not complete, while "impartial" means unbiased or neutral. Choose the word that accurately reflects your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "partial" and "fragmentary"?

"Partial" indicates something is not whole or complete, while "fragmentary" suggests something is broken into pieces or exists only in fragments. "Partial" often implies a degree of completeness, whereas "fragmentary" suggests a more significant lack of wholeness.