What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fractional
Example
The company's profits increased by a fractional amount this quarter. [fractional: adjective]
Example
She only had a fractional share of the inheritance. [fractional: adjective]
fragmentary
Example
The archaeologists found fragmentary evidence of an ancient civilization. [fragmentary: adjective]
Example
The vase was shattered into many fragmentary pieces. [fragmentary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fragmentary is more commonly used than fractional in everyday language. Fragmentary can be used in various contexts, while fractional is more specific to mathematical or numerical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fractional and fragmentary?
Both fractional and fragmentary are formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing.
