“As Part Of” vs. “As A Part Of”: 18 Example Sentences (& Synonyms)

The phrases “as part of” and “as a part of” are both incredibly similar. However, there’s a key difference that you should pay attention to when it comes to using them. Once you figure that out, you’ll have no trouble! We’ll explore what those differences are in this article.

“As Part Of” Or “As A Part Of: Which Is Correct?

“As part of” should be used when talking about “part” in the sense of being an element that is essential to something. “As a part of” should be used when talking about “part” in the sense of being a small segment of a bigger thing. They are both correct.

According to The Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of “part” in “as part of” is “some but not all of a thing.”

According to The Cambridge Dictionary (on the same page), the definition of “part” in “as a part of” is “a separate piece of something, or a piece that combines with other pieces to form the whole of something.”

Example Sentences With “As Part Of”

To help you understand the meanings a little better, we thought we’d include some easy examples to show you. You’ll find that the examples aren’t too dissimilar between the words, but each phrase has a particular meaning to follow.

Correct

• As part of this community, I feel it’s my duty to help.
• As part of a team, you’ll be working hard together.
• As part of the band, I’ll be sure to forward my songs to you.
• As part of a bigger thing, it’s important to influence it.
• As part of this world, I have a duty to say what’s on my mind.

These sentences are the correct cases to use “as part of.” We’re mostly talking about ourselves as an individual making up larger things. In this case, we’re referring to the first meaning of “part,” which is “some but not all of a thing.”

Incorrect:

• As part of this community, the garden must stay as-is.
• As part of a team, synergy is important.
• As part of the band, these guitars are integral.
• As part of a bigger thing, little things make up for it.

In these cases, we’re talking about the individual building blocks that make the larger thing. In these cases, “in a part of” would actually be the correct phrase to use since we’re saying that separate pieces of something make up a whole of something else.

Example Sentences With “As A Part Of”

Now let’s see what that looks like on the flip side. Now we’ll show you when “as a part of” is correct to use.

Correct

• As a part of this community, the shopping mall must stay intact.
• As a part of this team, synergy is useful for us to complete a project.
• As a part of the band, the guitars need to come with us on tour.
• As a part of the school, the classrooms must be enlarged.
• As a part of the government, the building must be closed for renovation.

These sentences are correct because we’re talking about smaller parts of things that make up a much larger overall thing.

Incorrect

• As a part of this community, what I say matters.
• As a part of this team, I have a duty to tell you you’re wrong.
• As a part of this band, I want to show off.
• As a part of this school, I’m an important student!

In these cases, we’re talking about ourselves as an individual making up a larger entity. These are all incorrect, and we should use “as part of” if we want to be correct.

Synonyms For “As Part Of”

Finally, let’s see what synonyms we can use for the phrases to prevent you from being confused in the future.

• I’m Important

Someone can be important to something to show that what they say matters.

• As a member

When we’re talking about an individual being a member of a larger operation, “as a member” is a good synonym for “as part of.”

Synonyms For “As A Part Of”

There aren’t many better words for saying “as a part of.” However, we find there is one that might be useful to you.

• Integral

A smaller part of something is often integral (important) to the overall working of the larger thing.