Master confusing words with ease
Fragment vs. Fragmentary
Fragment
/ˈfræɡmənt/Examples:
He read his fragments aloud.The world - scattered in momentary, unconnected fragments.They are still few - separate jagged fragments.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Fragmentary
/ˈfræɡməntəri/Examples:
The manuscript was discovered in a fragmentary state.Her memory of the event was only fragmentary at best.Their knowledge of the ancient culture is still fragmentary.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Fragment is a whole noun, meaning a piece or part broken off from something. Think of it like a shard from a shattered mirror.
- Fragmentary is an adjective, so it describes something. It often describes things that are incomplete or exist in parts, like a partial story or evidence.
- When you see fragment, think of a tangible piece you can pick up (literally or figuratively), whereas fragmentary modifies something to signify it is partial or incomplete.
- Remember, fragmentary gives the quality of being fragment-like to a noun.
- Use fragment for a stand-alone piece and fragmentary to describe something incomplete or consisting of fragments.
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