Part Time vs. Parttime – Which is Correct?
For standard English, write “part-time” when the phrase modifies a noun, as in “a part-time job.” Write “part time” when it functions adverbially after a verb, as in “She works part time.” “Parttime” is a misspelling and should not appear in edited professional writing, applications, or workplace communication or formal correspondence.
Part time or parttime – Which is Correct?
Part-time is the standard hyphenated form when the expression acts as an adjective before a noun or as an adverb in some styles. Part time is also correct when it follows a verb and describes how an activity is performed. However, parttime, written as one word, is incorrect in standard English.
For example, write “a part-time employee” because the phrase modifies employee. Write “The employee works part time” because the phrase follows the verb works. Many style guides retain the hyphen in the adverbial form as well, so “The employee works part-time” may also be seen, particularly when consistency is preferred.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the noun test: if “part time” comes directly before a noun, connect the words with a hyphen. If it comes after a verb, leaving the words open is usually acceptable. Never combine the expression into one word: parttime is not standard English.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| part time | Adverbial phrase | For fewer than the usual or full number of working hours | She works part time. |
| part-time | Compound adjective or adverb | Operating or working for limited hours | He accepted a part-time position. |
| parttime | Incorrect spelling | Not an accepted standard-English form | Avoid “parttime employee.” |
How to Use Part Time
Part time is commonly used as an adverbial phrase after a verb. It explains that someone works, studies, attends, or operates for only some of the available or customary hours. This open form is natural in casual and formal writing when it follows the verb.
When the phrase appears before a noun, use the hyphenated form part-time rather than the open form. The hyphen signals that the two words function together as a compound modifier.
Example 1: Maya works part time while completing her degree.
Example 2: The clinic operates part time during the winter months.
Example 3: The company advertised a part-time customer service position.
Etymology of the word Part Time
Part comes from the Latin pars, meaning “a portion” or “share,” through Old French and Middle English. Time comes from Old English tīma, referring to a period or span. The expression part time developed from the idea of using only a portion of a standard working period.
Because part can mean a portion, writers may also benefit from reviewing Apart vs. A Part when distinguishing related forms.
Related Concepts
Understanding compound modifiers and adverbial phrases makes it easier to choose between the open and hyphenated forms of this expression.
- Compound modifier: Two or more words can work together as one adjective before a noun. Hyphens often clarify this relationship, as in “a part-time schedule.”
- Adverbial phrase: A group of words can modify a verb by explaining how, when, or to what extent an action occurs. In “She works part time,” the phrase describes how she works.
- Hyphenation: Hyphens join words that function together, especially before a noun. The exact style can vary when the compound follows a verb, so consistency is important.
- Open compound: Some established expressions remain as separate words even though they have a combined meaning. “Part time” is commonly open when used after a verb.
Examples from Media and Literature
The following examples show how standard writing uses the expression in employment, education, business, and public communication:
- Employment listing: “We are seeking a part-time retail associate for weekend shifts.”
- News report: “The council approved a plan to employ additional part-time staff.”
- Career advice article: “Many students work part time while attending university.”
- Workplace policy: “Part-time employees receive benefits according to their scheduled hours.”
- Personal essay: “After moving to the city, she worked part time at a neighborhood bookstore.”
Part Time Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Limited-hours | Requiring or involving fewer hours than a standard schedule |
| Reduced-hours | Operating with a shortened work schedule |
| Temporary | Existing for a limited period, although it does not necessarily mean fewer daily hours |
| Casual | Describing some employment arrangements with irregular or limited hours, depending on the region |
| Half-time | Involving approximately half of a normal schedule; less flexible than “part time” in meaning |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “parttime” one word?
No. Parttime is a misspelling in standard English. Use part-time before a noun and usually use part time after a verb.
Question 2: Should I write “part time” or “part-time”?
Use “part-time” before a noun, as in “a part-time job.” Use “part time” after a verb, as in “He works part time.” Some style guides also use “part-time” after a verb for consistency.
Question 3: Is “part-time” an adjective or an adverb?
It is most clearly an adjective in phrases such as “part-time employment.” It can also function adverbially in sentences such as “She works part-time,” although many editors prefer the open form “works part time” in that position.
Question 4: Is “part-time job” hyphenated?
Yes. The hyphen is recommended because “part-time” is a compound modifier appearing before the noun job.
Conclusion
Use part-time before a noun, as in “a part-time worker,” and use part time after a verb, as in “She works part time.” Do not write parttime; it is an incorrect spelling. Pro Tip: Checking hyphenation in résumés, applications, and professional correspondence demonstrates careful editing and protects your credibility.
