partly working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "partly working" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is functioning to some extent but not fully operational. Example: "The machine is partly working, so we can still use it for some tasks, but it needs repairs for optimal performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It's partly working to the highest quality that's possible - that's what films are about.

The Guardian - Film

And the message seems to be at least partly working, based on polls and the Massachusetts surprise.

The New York Times

Even in Tacloban, where the airport is now partly working again, food, clean water, medical treatment and shelter have yet to reach many of the worst-hit.

The Economist

They were partly working notes and partly casual jottings, roughly arranged so that the two kinds of entry were on opposite pages.

The Guardian - Books

It was partly working on the film of Billy Elliot and becoming a surrogate father to its star, Jamie Bell, that confirmed Daldry's desire to have a family of his own.

The Guardian - Film

Age, treatment group and gender were adjusted for subsequently Work status (0: not working, 1: working or partly working, retired not included) Education (0: ≤ 12 years in school, 1: University/College) Adjusting subsequently for gender, age and treatment group did not change this model.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Palma's menu is part Italian and part Colombian, which partly works and partly doesn't.

The New York Times - Travel

The assimilation tactic has only partly worked, as some visitors have resisted inclusion.

The New York Times

She anxiously warned him not to end up trapped by a mistake (Mr Bush sent her to Ms Rice for reassurance, which only partly worked).

The Economist

His father Joseph partly worked as a psychiatric nurse and on the land in Mullingar, County Westmeath, where Nolan was born.

The Guardian - Books

In the following, (some of) the better known and partly worked out approaches that use concepts of quantum theory for inquiries into the nature of consciousness will be presented and discussed.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the functionality of equipment or systems, "partly working" is appropriate to use, especially when specifying which aspects are functional and which are not. For example, "The airport is partly working again; domestic flights are operating, but international flights are still suspended."

Common error

Avoid using "partly working" without specifying which part is working. If you don't provide enough context, the reader may not understand the extent of the functionality. For instance, instead of saying "The system is partly working", specify "The system's data retrieval function is partly working, but the display module is not."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partly working" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the state of a verb, indicating that something is in a state of partial functionality. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "partly working" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes something which is functioning to some extent, but not fully. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It is particularly frequent in News & Media and Science contexts and serves the purpose of conveying a nuanced state of functionality. For clarity, it's best to specify which parts are working when using this phrase, and alternatives like "partially functional" or "not fully operational" can be used depending on the level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially functional

Replaces "working" with a more formal adjective, emphasizing the partial functionality.

partly functional

Synonymous with "partially functional", but uses an adverb instead of an adjective.

partially in operation

Substitutes "working" with "in operation", highlighting the state of being active.

partly operational

Similar to "partially in operation", but uses a single adjective.

not fully operational

Expresses the idea using a negative construction, emphasizing the lack of full functionality.

partially up and running

Uses a more informal and dynamic phrase, suggesting the system is in the process of becoming fully functional.

partially active

Focuses on the active aspect of something but emphasizes that it is not fully active

in limited working order

Indicates that the functionality is restricted or limited.

with limited functionality

Highlights the constraints in available functions.

suboptimally functioning

Uses a more technical term to indicate that the function is not at its best.

FAQs

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

You can use "partly working" to describe something that is functional to some extent but not fully operational. For example, "The phone is "partly working"; I can make calls, but the internet connection is unstable."

What's the difference between "partly working" and "completely broken"?

"Partly working" indicates that some functionality remains, whereas "completely broken" implies total failure. Something that is "partly working" still performs some functions, but something that is completely broken does nothing.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "partly working"?

Alternatives include "partially functional", "partly functional", or "not fully operational". The best choice depends on the context and the level of formality required.

Is it grammatically correct to say "partly working"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Partly" is an adverb modifying the verb "working". It's a common construction to indicate something is functional to some extent.