What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unfair
Example
It's unfair that some students get extra time on the test while others don't. [unfair: adjective]
Example
The referee made an unfair call that cost our team the game. [unfair: adjective]
partial
Example
The judge was accused of being partial to the defendant because they were friends. [partial: adjective]
Example
I can't trust her opinion on the matter because she's too partial to her own interests. [partial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unfair is more commonly used in everyday language than partial. Unfair is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while partial is more formal and less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unfair and partial?
Partial is more formal than unfair and is often used in legal or academic contexts. While unfair can be used in both formal and informal contexts, partial is typically reserved for more serious or professional situations.
