Is Apart One Word? Apart vs. A Part Explained

Apart is one word when it refers to separation, distance, or something being divided into pieces. For example, you might say that two houses are far apart or that an old book is falling apart.

A part is also correct, but it has a different meaning. The two-word form refers to a piece, portion, role, or member of something larger.

The difference is easy to understand once you look at how each form works in a sentence.

Is Apart One Word?

Yes, apart is a correctly spelled one-word term. It is most commonly used as an adverb to describe people or things that are separated by space, time, circumstances, or differences.

• The two chairs were placed several feet apart.
• The meetings were scheduled one week apart.
• The childhood friends slowly grew apart.

It can also describe something being separated into individual pieces.

• He took the computer apart to repair it.
• The cardboard box fell apart in the rain.

In each of these examples, apart expresses some form of separation.

What Does Apart Mean?

The word apart has several closely related uses. According to the Cambridge Dictionary definition of apart, it can refer to separation by distance or time, division into smaller pieces, or the exclusion of something from consideration.

Separated by Distance

Apart can describe the physical distance between people or objects.

• The trees were planted ten feet apart.
• Move the tables farther apart.
• The sisters now live hundreds of miles apart.

Separated by Time

The word can also show the amount of time between two events.

• The children were born two years apart.
• The appointments are only thirty minutes apart.
• The two albums were released a decade apart.

Separated Emotionally or Socially

Apart is often used when people become less close or begin living separate lives.

• They grew apart after leaving school.
• Work kept the couple apart for several months.
• The disagreement pulled the friends apart.

Divided Into Pieces

It can also describe an object breaking or being separated into smaller parts.

• The old shoes are coming apart.
• She took the clock apart.
• The sandwich fell apart when he picked it up.

When Is A Part Written as Two Words?

A part is written as two words when part is a noun. It refers to a piece, portion, element, role, or member of something larger.

• Exercise is a part of her morning routine.
• He wanted to be a part of the project.
• This small spring is a part of the machine.
• She played a part in organizing the event.

The article a belongs with the noun part, so the words must remain separate. As Merriam-Webster’s guide to apart and a part explains, the noun phrase refers to one of the pieces or divisions that make up a whole.

Apart vs. A Part: What Is the Difference?

Form	Meaning	Example
apart	Separated, at a distance, or divided into pieces	The two buildings are far apart.
a part	A piece, portion, role, or member of something	She is a part of the design team.

Compare these two sentences:

• I do not want to be apart from my family.
• I am proud to be a part of this family.

The first sentence is about being separated from the family. The second is about belonging to it.

A Simple Way to Remember the Difference

Try replacing the expression with a piece of, a member of, or a portion of.

If one of those replacements makes sense, use a part.

• She is a part of the committee.
• She is a member of the committee.

• This chapter is a part of the book.
• This chapter is a portion of the book.

If the sentence is about separation, distance, or division, use apart.

• Keep the wet clothes apart from the dry ones.
• The old chair is falling apart.
• The twins are difficult to tell apart.

You can also remember that apart contains the word part, but it begins with an attached a. In many sentences, that attached spelling suggests things are moving away from one another. When a is separate, part acts as a noun.

Common Expressions Using Apart

The word apart appears in several familiar expressions.

Apart From

Apart from can mean “except for” or “in addition to,” depending on the sentence.

• Apart from one small scratch, the table looks new.
• Apart from teaching, she also writes children’s books.

Fall Apart

Fall apart means to break into pieces or stop functioning properly. It can also describe someone becoming emotionally overwhelmed.

• The old suitcase began to fall apart.
• The plan fell apart after the funding was withdrawn.

Grow Apart

Grow apart means to become less emotionally close over time.

• The friends grew apart after moving to different cities.

Take Apart

Take apart means to separate an object into its individual pieces.

• He took the bicycle apart before replacing the damaged chain.

Tell Apart

Tell apart means to recognize the difference between similar people or things.

• The puppies look so similar that I cannot tell them apart.

Set Apart

Set apart means to make someone or something noticeably different or distinctive.

• Her attention to detail sets her work apart.

Final Summary

Apart is one word when it refers to separation, distance, or division.

A part is written as two words when it refers to a piece, portion, role, or member of something larger.

A useful rule is to ask whether a piece of or a member of could replace the phrase. If it can, choose a part. If the sentence describes separation, choose apart.