a bit over half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit over half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that is slightly more than fifty percent of a whole. Example: "In the survey, a bit over half of the participants expressed their satisfaction with the service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Now Google's algorithm touches a bit over half of all searches.

The Economist

€57.1m is a bit over half of what Real paid for Bale.

The Guardian - Sport

Their answer is that in 2007 the higher brackets would have raised an additional $78 billion, or a bit over half a percent of GDP.

The New York Times

The tower's designer, Nikolai Nikitin, shared a birthday with Gustave Eiffel of France, whose tower was a bit over half as tall.

The New York Times

The technology-laden Nasdaq composite fell a bit over half as much as the blue-chip Dow -- 4 percent, or 54.35 points, to 1,319.15.

The New York Times

In humanities and social sciences, which have the highest share of striking students, Quebec charges C$2,845 and C$2,629 a year, a bit over half the average in all other provinces.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The Japanese government is putting up a bit over one-half of the $100 million that is committed to GHIT over the next 5 years; the drugmakers and the Gates Foundation are contributing the rest.

Science Magazine

For its first half, the psychology is a tad lazy, the satirical barbs a bit over-obvious.

The Guardian - Film

Fill a measuring cup up to a little bit over half a cup with water.

WikiHow

The spread between emerging-market and treasury bond yields reached a record low of 169 basis points (a bit over one-and-a-half percentage points) in April and is still only around 185 points.

The Economist

"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)," first performed in 1987, crams all 37 Shakespearean plays into just a bit over an hour and a half, complete with rap, Freudian psychology and a cooking show.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bit over half", ensure the context clearly defines the 'whole' being referenced. For instance, "A bit over half of the surveyed population..." provides a clear understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "a bit over half" when precision is crucial. In contexts demanding exact figures, opt for specific percentages or fractions instead of this somewhat ambiguous phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit over half" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by quantifying it. It indicates an amount slightly exceeding fifty percent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bit over half" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-toned phrase used to describe a quantity slightly exceeding fifty percent. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While not exceedingly common, it effectively communicates an approximate proportion without requiring precise figures. When precision is paramount, consider using specific percentages instead. Be sure to provide context to identify the whole. The phrase is interchangeable with alternatives like "slightly more than fifty percent", although they have different stylistic connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly more than fifty percent

Replaces the idiomatic "a bit" with a more explicit descriptor of the amount exceeding half.

just above fifty percent

Emphasizes the closeness of the quantity to the halfway mark.

a little over fifty percent

Uses "a little" instead of "a bit" to convey a small excess over half.

marginally more than half

Indicates a slight difference above the halfway point using "marginally".

fractionally above fifty percent

Substitutes "a bit" with "fractionally" to suggest a very small increment over half.

somewhat more than half

Replaces "a bit" with "somewhat" for a slightly more formal tone.

a shade over fifty percent

Uses "a shade" instead of "a bit" to imply a minimal increase above half.

a smidge over half

Replaces "a bit" with "a smidge" to impart a more informal and casual feel.

slightly exceeding fifty percent

Replaces "a bit over" with "slightly exceeding" for a more formal and precise expression.

in excess of fifty percent by a small margin

Offers a more verbose and descriptive alternative to the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit over half" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit over half" to describe a quantity slightly exceeding 50% of a whole. For example, "A bit over half of the students passed the exam".

What are some alternatives to saying "a bit over half"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly more than fifty percent", "just above fifty percent", or "a little over fifty percent" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "a bit over half" or "slightly more than half"?

"Slightly more than half" is generally considered more formal than "a bit over half", which is more conversational.

What does "a bit over half" imply about the quantity?

"A bit over half" implies that the quantity is slightly more than 50%, but not by a significant amount. The "bit" suggests a small margin.