A general partnership is a partnership with only general partners. Each general partner takes part in the management of the business, and also takes responsibility for the liabilities of the business. If one partner is sued, all partners are held liable. General partnerships are the least desirable for this reason.
A limited partnership includes both general partners and limited partners. A limited partner does not participate in the day-to-day management of the partnership and his/her liability is limited. In many cases, the limited partners are merely investors who do not with to participate in the partnership other than to provide an investment and to receive a share of the profits.