Partially and Partly Have Similar Meanings with Subtle Differences

This is a question that even native speakers of English ask. The distinction is very subtle because the definitions of the two words are the same. They both mean "somewhat but not completely."

These two words can almost always be used interchangeably. Sometimes partially sounds a bit more formal than partly, and sometimes speakers choose partially because of a formal or official context.

It may help to think of partially as meaning "incompletely" and partly as meaning "in part" or "with regard to the part rather than the whole." Below are some examples:

• He has only partially succeeded in his mission. [=he has not completely succeeded]
• My solution came to me partly from experience and partly from instinct. [=it came from two parts: experience and instinct]

Either partially or partly could be used in both of the above example sentences and still be correct, but there is a very subtle distinction. Even though the words are often used interchangeably, there is some difference in the patterns of usage for each word.

Partially is used more often than partly to modify an adjective or past participle that names or suggests a process:

• His face was partially concealed by a beard.
• The snow had partially melted.
• Our vacation was partially paid for by the company.

Partly is used more often than partially before clauses and phrases offered as explanation:

• We trusted him partly because he was elderly.
• Partly for this reason, we decided not to buy the house.
• I called him again, partly to reassure him.

Learners should focus more attention on the few cases that show nearly consistent use of one or the other:

• partly cloudy/sunny skies
• partially hydrogenated oils

Learning a handful of these idiomatic uses will be more useful than trying to apply very subtle rules and guidelines.

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