In this paper we introduce a new setting, based on partial algebras, for studying constructions of finitely generated free algebras. We give sufficient conditions under which the finitely generated free algebras for a variety V may be described as the colimit of a chain of finite partial algebras obtained by repeated application of a functor. In particular, our method encompasses the construction of finitely generated free algebras for varieties of algebras for a functor as in [2], Heyting algebras as in [1] and S4 algebras as in [8]. 1