partly filled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "partly filled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a container or space that is not completely full, indicating that there is some content inside but not to the top. Example: "The glass was partly filled with water, leaving enough room for ice cubes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now, this gap has been partly filled.

The Economist

(The secret: it's partly filled with mercury).

The New York Times - Arts

Farther north the grid was only partly filled.

The New York Times

He said the truck was partly filled and not overloaded.

The New York Times

The document was partly filled out, with a note scribbled at the bottom: "Nicky.

The New York Times

The bill provides for a defence fund, partly filled by taxpayers.

The Economist

These were clear plastic cups dug into the dirt, and partly filled with antifreeze.

The New Yorker

The driveway had deep ruts that were partly filled with broken clam shells.

The New Yorker

His 27 books (mostly on theology) and cookery columns only partly filled the gap.

The Economist

The vacancies were partly filled by foreign settlers who were soon assimilated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The combustion chamber of a hybrid is partly filled with solid fuel but no oxidant.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical object, such as a container, use "partly filled" to indicate that it contains some contents, but not to its maximum capacity. For example: "The glass was "partly filled" with water."

Common error

Avoid using "partly filled" as a standalone action without specifying what is filling the object. It's more descriptive and grammatically sound to specify what the subject is "partly filled" with, for example: "The tank was "partly filled" with fuel", not just "The tank was "partly filled"."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partly filled" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its state of being incompletely full. This usage is supported by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples of its application in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "partly filled" is a grammatically correct and common adjectival phrase used to describe something that is not completely full. Ludwig AI affirms its wide applicability across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure you specify what the subject is "partly filled" with for clarity. While interchangeable with "partially filled", "partly" is generally more informal. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "partly filled" in your writing to provide precise and descriptive details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially full

A more common and direct synonym.

partially occupied

Focuses on the extent of occupancy.

incompletely filled

Highlights the lack of complete filling.

not completely filled

Emphasizes the absence of complete fullness.

not entirely filled

Stresses that the filling process is not finished or whole.

partly occupied

Implies occupancy or inhabitation.

partly loaded

Implies that a load or capacity is not complete.

partially loaded

Focuses on the loading process and its partial completion.

half-filled

Specifically indicates approximately 50% fullness.

partly covered

Suggests incomplete covering.

FAQs

How can I use "partly filled" in a sentence?

Use "partly filled" to describe something that is not completely full. For example, "The bottle was "partly filled" with juice" indicates that the bottle contained some juice but wasn't full.

What is a synonym for "partly filled"?

Synonyms for "partly filled" include "partially full", "incompletely filled", or "not completely filled". Choose the best synonym based on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "partly filled" or should I say "partially filled"?

Both "partly filled" and "partially filled" are grammatically correct. "Partly" is generally considered more informal, while "partially" is more formal. They are often interchangeable, so choose based on the desired tone.

What's the difference between "partly filled" and "completely filled"?

"Partly filled" means that something is not full, while "completely filled" means it is full to capacity. For example, a glass that is "partly filled" has some liquid in it, while a glass that is "completely filled" has liquid up to the brim.