Is it “Apart” or “A Part”?

What is the difference between “a part” and “apart”?

Homophones are words or phrases that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. “A part” and “apart” are common homophones that can trip up even the most experienced writers. Although they sound the same when said out loud, these words can’t be used interchangeably in your writing because they have different definitions and function differently within sentences.

“A part” is a noun phrase that represents something within a larger whole. The phrase consists of an article, “a,” and a noun, “part.” Often, the phrase is used with the preposition “of,” like in the sentence, “She lost a part of the puzzle.”

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“Apart,” on the other hand, is typically used as an adverb that describes something separate from other things. Synonyms for “apart” include separately and aside. The word “apart” is commonly paired with the preposition “from,” such as, “The veterinarians kept the dogs apart from the cats.”

How to use “a part” and “apart” in a sentence

The phrase “a part” consists of the article “a” and the noun “part.” Sometimes, the “a” isn’t necessary and should be removed. For example, the sentence “He felt proud to be a part of the winning team,” should be “He felt proud to be part of the winning team.” In certain situations, you’ll need to use the “a” for the sentence to be grammatically correct, like in the sentence, “Her mom lost a part of her sewing kit.” Removing the “a” in this scenario would make the sentence less precise.

Unlike its homophone, “apart” can be used as an adverb or an adjective. Use “apart” as an adjective when it follows the noun it describes, like: “At college, he felt a world apart from his family.” When you use the word as an adverb, it changes the meaning of a verb or adjective to represent a separation. For example, in the sentence “She took the engine apart.”

Examples of “a part” and “apart”

If you’re still not sure how to use “a part” and “apart” in a sentence, consider how the words function in these example sentences.

• “He couldn’t find a part that he needed to build the table.”
• “The boy sat apart from his classmates.”
• “Monique felt happy to be part of the rugby team.”
• “Among even the smartest students, Angie stands apart.”

Notice how the word “apart” is often paired with the word “from,” while the phrase “a part” or “part” can be used alongside “of.”

Tips to remember a part vs. apart

Even if you understand the difference between “a part” and “apart,” it can be tricky to remember which word you should use. Follow these tips to remind yourself how to use them correctly.

• If you can swap out the word for “one part,” use “a part.”
• Use “a part” when referring to a piece or portion of something.
• If you can use “besides” or “except” instead, use “apart.”
• When describing something separated from something else, use “apart.”
• If you can use “away from” in the sentence, use “apart.”

Another way to remember which word to use is by asking yourself if the sentence needs a noun phrase or an adverb to be grammatically correct. “A part,” will always be a noun phrase, while “apart” can be used as an adverb or sometimes as an adjective. Whether you’re writing a research paper or perfecting your cover letter, following these grammar rules will help set your writing apart.