Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[musicgold]

Hi All,

I am confused about the usage of part / a part.

for example : 'English essay is part / a part of any competitive exam'

My research showed that both 'part' and 'a part' are used regularly. What is the test to decide whether to use 'part' or 'a part'?

Thanks,

MG.

[Mister Micawber]

.
Hello, musicgold-- and welcome to Dave's. I cannot think offhand of any situation in which either can be used with equal effect.

Perhaps another member can come up with an example where only one will serve.
.
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"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
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Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's

[CP]

I might say I'm part Irish, part German by ancestry. I'm not a part Irish or a part German -- although a part of me is Irish and a part German.

Otherwise, "part" and "a part" seem to be interchangeable.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb