I suspect, though, that part of them is sometimes dying for a nice big juicy steak.

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Nonverbis

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Wordbuilder by Guy Wellman.

I suspect, though, that part of them is sometimes dying for a nice big juicy steak.


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Could you tell me why 'part' is not preceded by an article here?
 

tedmc

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It is written "part of them" as distinct from "all of them". "A part of them (plural)" doesn't make sense.
 
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Nonverbis

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It is written "part of them" as distinct from "all of them". "A part of them (plural)" doesn't make sense.
I can't catch your idea at all.

'Part' is a countable noun. If it is used without an article, a reason is necessary. Such reasons are all known. You have not provided any.

A part of them, some part of them - for me it sounds Ok.
 

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Without knowing the full context, this would seem to be about not that some of a group (part of them), but rather a small part of each person (you know, deep down inside) really wants a nice steak.

I could accept this either with or without an article.
 

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It is written "part of them" as distinct from "all of them". "A part of them (plural)" doesn't make sense.

"A part of them" seems perfectly correct and natural to me, as is simply "part of them".
 

probus

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Here, them is the objective case of the singular they.
 
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