Somewhat over half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Somewhat over half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a quantity that is slightly more than fifty percent of a whole. Example: "Somewhat over half of the participants agreed with the proposed changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Explants treated with BAP but no auxin produced no PLBs and with shoot production and bud-forming capacity somewhat over half of that seen in NAA (Table  1).

AoB PLANTS

By contrast, reader I achieved only 58%% specificity; i.e. if reader II read the radiograph as negative, reader I agreed in somewhat over half the cases.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We found that meta-emotions are somewhat common: Over half of the adults in our study reported experiencing meta-emotions at least once during the week of surveys.

University of California, Berkeley

Fewer than 3 in 10 say they followed the news about Manafort, Gates and Papadopoulos very closely, with slightly over half saying they'd paid even somewhat close attention.

HuffPost

Also, her genteel disposition to flirt with her half-averted eyes while a wistful smile plays about her soft lips is somewhat over-worked for the Bronx.

The New York Times

Brownstone Brooklyn seems somewhat over-represented.

The New Yorker

"Economic activity decelerated somewhat over the first half of this year," the statement said.

The New York Times

After a two-day meeting, Fed officials said the economy had "decelerated somewhat" over the first half of the year, and gave a stronger signals they may take further action as they keep a close watch on the US recovery.

The Guardian - Business

Let both pots boil until the tagliolini are still somewhat under-cooked (just over half the recommended cooking time), then drain and add to the sauce.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

1. Welcome To A Mobile First World: As a 50+ year-old frequently squinting at the tiny type on my mobile phone, it was somewhat frightening to learn that over half of all Google searches are taking place on smartphones -- outpacing laptops, desktops and tablets combined.

Forbes

Over half declare themselves only somewhat committed to feminism, though they are eager to differentiate feminism from support of equal opportunities for women, which they resoundingly support.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Somewhat over half" when you want to indicate a proportion slightly greater than 50% without being overly precise. It's useful in contexts where an approximate figure is sufficient.

Common error

Avoid using "Somewhat over half" when the proportion is significantly higher than 50%. If the proportion is closer to two-thirds or three-quarters, use more accurate terms like "most" or "a significant majority".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat over half" functions as a quantifier, specifying an amount or proportion that is a little more than 50%. Ludwig indicates that it's a valid expression, though not extremely common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat over half" is a grammatically correct way to express a quantity slightly exceeding 50%. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity, while also indicating that it is not an exceedingly common expression. As the source examples illustrate, it is versatile enough to be used across different fields like science, news, and academia. When writing, remember to use this phrase when you intend to express 'a little more than half' without needing to be precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Just over half

Slightly more direct and common way to say the same thing.

Over 50 percent

A simple, direct equivalent.

A little more than half

Adds a bit more emphasis on the 'little' extra over the exact midpoint.

Slightly more than half

Highlights the small degree by which it exceeds 50%.

Marginally over half

Implies a very small amount above the halfway point.

Fractionally above half

Emphasizes the small fraction above the midpoint.

Barely over half

Suggests the amount is only just past the 50% mark.

A slim majority

Indicates that the majority is not large or substantial.

A majority

A more general term, indicating more than half without specifying the exact amount.

More than 50 percent

A more formal and mathematically precise way of expressing the idea.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "somewhat over half"?

Alternatives include "just over half", "slightly more than half", or a simple "majority", depending on the level of precision needed.

Is "somewhat over half" a formal or informal expression?

"Somewhat over half" is generally suitable for neutral contexts. For more formal writing, consider using "slightly more than 50 percent" or "a slim majority".

When is it appropriate to use "somewhat over half"?

Use "Somewhat over half" when you want to convey that a quantity is a little more than half, but you don't need to be exact. It's a good choice when an approximate figure is sufficient.

What's the difference between "somewhat over half" and "significantly over half"?

"Somewhat over half" implies a small margin above 50%, while "significantly over half" indicates a much larger proportion. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the actual proportion.