Apart vs. A Part
Sometimes, we confuse words in the English language with phrases that are made up of the same letters and sounds, but that actually mean something different. The word apart and the phrase a part give us a prime example of this occurrence. Let's look at how this word and this phrase are different so that you will be sure to use them correctly in your writing.
Apart is an adverb meaning to separate or keep at a distance. This word has the prefix "a" which means "away."
1. When we cut the pizza apart, there was enough for everyone to have a slice.
2. After building the castle out of blocks, the little boy delighted in tearing it apart.
3. In science today, we had to take apart a fake butterfly so that we could look at each part separately.
4. Mrs. Willis said that Mark and John had to sit apart from each other so that they would stop talking.
A Part is a noun phrase meaning a piece or a portion of the whole.
1. Would you let me have a part of your sandwich?
2. Jessica got a part in the school play.
3. When Lois invited me to her home, I felt like a part of her family.
4. We found a part of the broken toy at the bottom of the stairs.
As you can see, apart and a part mean very different things. This is why spelling and spacing are vitally important. If your readers are to understand your writing, you must keep the words in the phrase "a part" apart.
|
Related Links: Difference between Words Science Related Words Difference and Comparison |