How to Resolve Error "CS0750: A partial member cannot have the 'abstract' modifier" in C#

The Compiler Error CS0750 is a modifier conflict error. The message reads: "A partial member cannot have the 'abstract' modifier".

In C#, partial and abstract serve two completely different architectural purposes that are mutually exclusive:

• partial: Meant for splitting the definition of a single class across multiple files (often used with code generators). If a partial method is not implemented in any file, the compiler simply removes the call signature entirely. It works "horizontally" within the same class.
• abstract: Meant for inheritance. It forces a derived class to provide an implementation. It works "vertically" down the inheritance hierarchy.

You cannot have a method that is both "optional to implement in this class" (partial) and "mandatory to implement in a child class" (abstract).

This guide explains how to choose the correct modifier based on your design goal.

Understanding the Conflict

The compiler cannot reconcile the rules of these two keywords:

Keyword	Implementation Requirement	Visibility	Context
partial	Optional (if void/private). If missing, calls are deleted.	Implicitly private (historically).	Same Class (Split files).
abstract	Mandatory. Must be implemented by children.	Must be public, protected, or internal.	Derived Class (Inheritance).

Because abstract requires a vtable entry for polymorphism and partial might simply disappear at compile-time, they cannot be used together.

Scenario: Confusing Code Generation with Inheritance

This error commonly occurs when a developer is working within an abstract partial class. They want to define a method hook, but they confuse the syntax for "splitting code" with the syntax for "enforcing inheritance."

Example of error

Attempting to create a method that is both split across files and enforceable by derived classes.

// File: Entity.cs
public abstract partial class BaseEntity
{
    // ⛔️ Error CS0750: A partial member cannot have the 'abstract' modifier.
    // The compiler doesn't know if this should be implemented 
    // in another part of BaseEntity, or in a Child class.
    public abstract partial void Save();
}

Solution 1: Use abstract (For Inheritance)

If your goal is to force Child Classes (derived classes) to provide the logic, remove the partial keyword.

public abstract partial class BaseEntity
{
    // ✅ Correct: Derived classes MUST implement this.
    public abstract void Save();
}

public class User : BaseEntity
{
    public override void Save() 
    {
        // Implementation logic
    }
}

Solution 2: Use partial (For Code Splitting)

If your goal is to allow another file (part of the same class, possibly generated by a tool) to provide the logic, remove the abstract keyword.

// File: Entity.Gen.cs (Auto-Generated)
public abstract partial class BaseEntity
{
    // Definition
    partial void OnSaved(); 

    public void Save()
    {
        // If OnSaved is implemented in the other file, this runs.
        // If not, this line is removed by the compiler.
        OnSaved(); 
    }
}

// File: Entity.User.cs (Hand-Written)
public abstract partial class BaseEntity
{
    // Implementation
    // ✅ Correct: Implements the partial hook defined in the generated file.
    partial void OnSaved()
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Saved!");
    }
}

note

Tip for C# 9.0+: In modern C#, partial methods can have access modifiers (like public), but if you do add an access modifier, the implementation becomes mandatory. Even then, it cannot be abstract; the implementation must be provided in the same class hierarchy level (another part of the partial class), not a derived class.

Conclusion

CS0750 asks you to decide who is responsible for the method implementation.

1. Inheritance: If a subclass should implement it, use abstract.
2. Code Splitting: If a sibling file (same class) should implement it, use partial.