In part

Recent breakthroughs in physics, made possible in part by fantastic new technologies, suggests answers to some of these longstanding questions.

About 'in part' above, what does it refer to ?

I think it's 'by fantastic new technologies', but I'm not sure on this one...

Marius Hancu wrote:

in part=partly thus adverb refers to the verb, made possible

Hmm...really? But when I say, 'It is X in part because Y', 'in part', as you say it's adverbial, refers to 'because Y', doesn't it?

An adverb doesn't always modify a verb; when I say 'They are financed partly by postal savings', for example, I mean 'Postal savings are part of their souce of money', which means that their money doesn't come entirely from postal savings (i.e. 'partly' doesn't modify 'are financed', but 'by postal savings').

Or when I say, 'They did it partly by intention', I mean the intention was part of the reason of their behavior; they didn't do it partly (i.e. the adverb 'partly' refers to 'by intention').

Hi,

This is what I think.

In the sentence, "They are financed partly/in part by postal savings," partly or in part are functioning as an adverb to modify the verb 'finance' and opverall in describes by its modification, how it is financed,  but contextually (how the sentenece is to be read or understood) when you ask me where it (either partly or inpart) linked to or is a part of contextually, I will answer it is linked in context to the words 'postal savings.'     

I think I would lumber into the lobby behind Clive and GG here:

"Fantastic new technologies are part of what makes the recent breakthroughs in physics possible."

That said, I do wonder (uncharitably) whether the writer used "in part" not for the sake of precision, but simply to give himself an exit strategy, in case someone happened to say "You do realize, of course, that X and Y and Z, and not the fantastic new technologies, are the main reason for the recent breakthroughs?"

MrP