Apart vs. A Part – What’s the Gist?
- Apart (one word) is an adverb that means separated by a distance. The one-word apart is usually paired with the preposition from.
- A part (two words) is a phrase that means part of a larger group. The two-word a part is usually paired with the preposition of.
Continue reading for a more in-depth discussion of the two.
In English, homophones are words and phrases that sound alike but mean different things. Homophones can be confusing for beginning writers and language learners; they can even trip up experienced writers.
A part and apart are two such homophones. Even though they have similar pronunciations, they mean different things, and they are actually different parts of speech.
If you aren’t sure whether to use a part or apart, don’t worry—you aren’t alone. These are two commonly misused homophones, but with some research and careful proofreading, you will never have to wonder whether you used one of these words incorrectly again.
What is the Difference Between Apart and A Part?
In this article, I will compare apart vs. a part. I will use each of these words in at least one example sentence, so you can see them in context.
Plus, I will outline a memory tool that will help you choose between apart and a part in your own writing.
How to Use Apart
Definition of apart: Apart is an adverb. It is a synonym of separately, describing something that is not with other things.
Here are some example sentences,
- “Apart from the obvious lack of sentence-level editing, this essay is well-organized,” said Marlon’s teacher.
- Even in a crowded field of excellent starting pitchers, Clayton Kershaw stands apart.
- “I’m going to take apart this engine and see what’s wrong with it!” said the ever-optimistic apprentice mechanic.
In many cases, apart will be paired with the preposition from.
How to Use A Part
Definition of a part: A part is not an adverb. It is a phrase that specifies something that is one constituent of a larger whole. A muffler is a part of a car, and having a well-chosen haircut is a part of looking your best.
Here are a few more examples,
- Aliyah tried to put together her new LEGO set, but she lost a part and couldn’t finish.
- Jeremy was proud to be a part of the team that won the bar trivia grand championship.
- Morris tried out for a part in the play, and felt that his audition went well.
In many cases, a part will be paired with the preposition of.
Also, it should be noted that in many cases, the a in the phrase a part is superfluous and is, therefore eliminated.
For example,
- Jeremy was proud to be a part of the team that won the bar trivia grand championship.
-could simply be-
- Jeremy was proud to be part of the team that won the bar trivia grand championship.
These sentences communicate the same idea, and in such cases, you will find that professional writers will eliminate the a.
Other times, however, the a is necessary.
- Aliyah tried to put together her new LEGO set, but she lost a part and couldn’t finish.
-could not be rewritten-
- Aliyah tried to put together her new LEGO set, but she lost part and couldn’t finish.
Outside Examples of Apart vs. A Part
- The other is Luke Donald, but what sets them apart is the number of chances Westwood has had in the majors. –The Washington Post
- The FBI director serves a fixed, 10-year term in part to insulate the bureau from political influence, though he is a part of the Department of Justice and lower on the organizational chart than the attorney general, a political position that changes with each new presidential administration. –The Washington Post
- Amazon’s NFL deal sets it apart from streaming rivals Netflix and Hulu, which have steered clear of live sports. Beyond the NFL, Amazon has been scouting other potential sports rights deals with the likes of the NBA and soccer leagues. –The Wall Street Journal
A part or Apart? When to Use Each
Apart is an adverb, while a part is a phrase that contains an indefinite article and a singular noun. You should always use apart in situations calling for an adverb, and never a part.
If you can remember that a is an article and part is a noun, you will always be able to remember that these words together form a noun phrase, and not an adverb.
Summary
Should I use apart or a part? Apart and a part are homophones when spoken aloud, but they are different parts of speech and cannot be freely interchanged.
- Apart is an adverb that means separately.
- A part is a noun phrase that refers to a singular piece of a greater whole.
As a reminder that a part should not be used as an adverb, remember that the phrase is made of an article and a noun, not an adverb.
Remember, any time you have a question about confusing words, you can check this site for a quick refresher.