a bad half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bad half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a portion of something that is considered poor or unsatisfactory, often in a context where something is being evaluated or compared. Example: "While the first half of the movie was engaging, the second half felt like a bad half that dragged on without purpose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"It has been a bad half year for censorship".

The New York Times

"I had a bad half hour where I let things get to me," said Anderson.

The Guardian - Sport

Unless a bad half or a tough matchup proves too much to overcome.

The New York Times - Sports

"Last year she'd let a bad half affect her and she would not come out with a lot of confidence in the second half and it would affect her entire game.

The New York Times - Sports

They held a 21-point lead over the Eagles with 8 minutes 17 seconds remaining and managed to lose on a punt-return touchdown on the final play, probably the worst loss in franchise history — "a bad half of one quarter," Mara said.

The New York Times - Sports

Once you've learned how to make your excuses after a bad half an hour, you then know when to exit a boring party or how to leave your desk at 5.30pm without spending another hour clicking between an Excel spreadsheet and ASOS.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

This is a good kid who had a bad half-second.

The New York Times - Sports

Both second-placed Cadel Evans and Robert Gesink in third are looking strong after the opening week and, for all of them, the terrain is so hard that if you have a bad half-hour at any of the key points you can lose everything.

BBC

We are forcing the luck but we don't have the luck that we need". Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink says in his news conference: "The players have experienced a very bad half year.

BBC

It is simply a very bad, half-hearted attempt at a show.

The New York Times

Can Burbank make it back to the brink of a championship after falling one bad half short of a shared title?

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bad half" to describe a performance, be specific about what made that half bad. Provide details or examples to support your assessment.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something was "a bad half" without providing context. Explain what aspects of the half were poor to give your statement more impact and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bad half" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes a specific portion or segment of something (often time) as being of poor quality or performance. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in diverse contexts like sports, business and general events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bad half" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes a period of subpar performance or quality. According to Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, sports, and business. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, it's crucial to provide specific details when describing what made the half "bad" to enhance clarity and impact. Alternative phrases like "a poor portion" or "a substandard segment" can be used depending on the desired nuance. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears frequently enough in reputable sources to be considered acceptable and readily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a poor portion

Replaces "bad" with "poor", focusing on the substandard quality of the half.

a substandard segment

Emphasizes that the portion is below the expected standard.

a deficient period

Highlights the lack of something necessary or expected during that time.

an unsatisfactory part

Directly states that the half did not meet expectations.

a disappointing section

Focuses on the feeling of letdown caused by the poor performance.

a weak division

Suggests that the performance was feeble or lacking strength.

an inferior fraction

Indicates the half was of lower quality compared to other parts.

a regrettable phase

Emphasizes the feeling of regret associated with that period.

an unfavorable duration

Focuses on the negative aspects and implications of the period.

a suboptimal interval

Suggests that the period was not ideal or the best possible.

FAQs

How can I use "a bad half" in a sentence?

You can use "a bad half" to describe a period of poor performance or quality, such as in sports, business, or even personal endeavors. For example, "The team had "a bad half", scoring no points and making several turnovers."

What are some alternatives to saying "a bad half"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a poor portion", "a substandard segment", or "an unsatisfactory part" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "a bad half" in formal writing?

While "a bad half" is generally acceptable, in more formal contexts, you might opt for a more precise and professional term like "a deficient period" or "a suboptimal interval" to maintain a higher level of formality.

What's the difference between "a bad half" and "a bad quarter"?

The difference lies in the length of the period being described. "A bad quarter" refers to a shorter duration, typically used in contexts like basketball or financial reporting, while "a bad half" refers to a longer duration, covering half of a game, year, or other relevant time frame.