A Part or Apart?

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A Part or Apart?

What is the difference between "a part" and "apart"?
  • Apart means besides or separately. It is an adverb.
  • Part in the phrase "a part" means a piece or segment.
apart or a part difference
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More about "Apart" and "A Part"

There is often confusion over "a part" and "apart." Although they sound exactly the same, the two have very different meanings.

Apart

"Apart" is an adverb meaning separated by a specified distance in time or space. For example:
  • Apart from the wind, it’s quite pleasant outside.
  • Without hope, the very fabric of our society will fall apart. (Tycoon Theo Paphitis)

A Part

"Part" means a piece or segment of something. "Part" often appears in the phrase "a part." For example:
  • Until you have loved an animal, a part of your soul remains unawakened. (Poet Anatole France)
  • You simply have to accept that your demons are a part of you. (Singer Aurora)
The article "a" can be dropped when "part" is not followed by an adjective.
  • Rumours are part of show business.
  • Rumours are a huge part of show business.
    • (The article "a" is necessary when it is followed by an adjective.)

Common Terms with "Apart" and "A Part"

Common terms with the word "apart":
  • apart but together
  • worlds apart
  • tear apart
  • to come apart at the seams
  • drift apart
  • poles apart
Common terms with the word "a part":
  • to play a part (a role)
  • to act a part

Try the Substitution Trick

If you can replace part in a part with piece, and your sentence still makes sense, then it is correct.
  • It a part of the puzzle.
  • It a piece of the puzzle.
Interactive Exercise
Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.

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See Also

adverse or averse? affect or effect? appraise or apprise? avenge or revenge? bare or bear? complement or compliment? dependant or dependent? discreet or discrete? disinterested or uninterested? e.g. or i.e.? envy or jealousy? imply or infer? its or it's? material or materiel? poisonous or venomous? practice or practise? principal or principle? tenant or tenet? who's or whose? What are nouns? What are verbs? List of easily confused words