Cool MatePartially vs Partly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Partially
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
Partly
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
| Partially | Partly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpɑːʃəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpɑːrʃəli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpɑːtli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpɑːrtli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Not completely; a little bit. | Not completely; some amount. |
| Example | The road was partially blocked by a fallen tree. | The project is partly finished, but we still have a lot of work to do. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | partially completed, partially responsible, partially understood | partly cloudy, partly responsible, partly true, partly finished, partly understood |
| Antonyms | completely, entirely, wholly | wholly, completely, entirely |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'participle' due to similar sound., Using 'partially' when 'completely' was intended., Forgetting to use it with a verb or adjective. | 'Partly' is sometimes confused with 'part' as in the amount., Some learners use 'partly' incorrectly with a noun instead of an adjective., Mistakenly using 'partly' in place of 'mostly' or 'mainly'. |
| Usage notes | Use this word when something is done to some extent but not entirely. It's suitable for academic and everyday contexts but may sound too formal in casual speech. | Use 'partly' when you want to describe something that is only true in part. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written English, but avoid using it in overly formal contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Partially vs Partly
What's the difference between Partially and Partly?
Partially: Not completely; a little bit. Partly: Not completely; some amount.
Which is more advanced: Partially and Partly?
Partially is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Partially and Partly the same CEFR level?
Partially: C1, Partly: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Partially and Partly?
Partially: adverb, Partly: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Partially: The road was partially blocked by a fallen tree. Partly: The project is partly finished, but we still have a lot of work to do.
Can I use Partially and Partly interchangeably?
Not always. Partially and Partly are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.