partially full

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "partially full" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a container or space that is not completely filled, indicating that there is still some capacity remaining. Example: "The glass was only partially full, leaving room for more water."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Five partially full journals went.

The New York Times

"Health class," he said, with a partially full mouth.

The New York Times

The move follows widespread criticism from ticketless fans after TV pictures showed the world's top swimmers and gymnasts competing in front of partially full arenas.

The Guardian - Sport

"I saw that an orange traffic cone, full and partially full water bottles, and one glass bottle were thrown at police," according to one information report.

The New York Times

In this paper, a two-phase CFD model is presented that describes the self-pressurization behavior of a flightweight partially full LH2 tank in normal gravity.

Cryogenics

The waste level classification is only considered for the correctly detected bins where the waste level is classified as empty, partially full or full.

Measurement

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

4) The interaction between the accessory helix and a neighboring partially folded full SNARE complex is not ruled out by the presented experiments since they do not involve partially folded full SNARE complex.

eLife

Thus, while the board had certified the votes tabulated in the sample recount, it simply discarded -- without explanation or rationale -- the hundreds of votes tabulated in the partially completed full recount.

The New York Times

The primary server may fail partially following full failure whereas secondary server faces complete failure only.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Meanwhile, Austria's plan to partially ban full face veils could go even further.

HuffPost

Although not qualitatively different from the fifth collapse step (described in the paragraph to follow), which allowed sequences to overlap only partially, the full-overlap requirement provided numerous algorithmic advantages over the equivalent operation allowing overlaps.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the contents of a container, clarify the specific volume or percentage to enhance precision. For instance, instead of just saying "partially full", specify "one-third full" or "70% full".

Common error

Avoid using "partially full" when "half full" is more appropriate and clear, especially in informal contexts. While "partially full" is correct, "half full" is often more concise and easily understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partially full" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is not completely filled. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates that there's still some capacity remaining.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "partially full" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that is not completely filled. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. It's frequently used in science, news media, and general writing. While similar to "half full", it lacks the specific quantification, making it suitable for situations where the precise fill level is unknown or unimportant. When writing, remember that while correct, specifying an approximate volume makes content better and more precise. It's essential to avoid overusing "partially full" when a more specific term like "half full" would enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not completely full

Emphasizes the lack of completeness in fullness.

partly filled

Focuses on the filling aspect being incomplete.

not entirely full

Highlights the lack of entirety in the fullness.

half full

Specifies the degree of fullness as being at fifty percent.

partially complete

Shifts the focus to the completeness of a task or item.

not fully loaded

Suggests an incomplete loading or capacity.

partly utilized

Highlights the incomplete usage of something.

moderately full

Indicates a middle ground in terms of fullness.

somewhat full

Expresses an indefinite degree of fullness.

not to capacity

Indicates the item is below its maximum capacity.

FAQs

How can I use "partially full" in a sentence?

You can use "partially full" to describe a container that isn't completely filled. For example: "The glass was "partially full", but I added more water."

What's a good alternative to "partially full"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "half full" if it's approximately 50%, or "not completely full" if you want a more general description.

Which is correct, "partially full" or "half full"?

"Partially full" and "half full" are both correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Half full" implies that something is 50% full, while "partially full" simply means that it's not completely full, without specifying the exact amount.

What's the difference between "partially full" and "almost full"?

"Partially full" means that something is not completely filled, implying there's a significant amount of space left. "Almost full", on the other hand, means that something is close to being completely filled, with very little space remaining.