a great half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great half" is grammatically correct but may not be commonly used in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are describing something that is partially great or excellent, perhaps in a comparison or evaluation. Example: "The first half of the movie was a great half, filled with suspense and excitement, while the second half fell flat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

That was a great half.

The New York Times

William Cullen Bryant, Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, and Edgar Allan Poe initiated a great half century of literary development.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"When he hit that shot, it was, O.K., the Lakers are playing a great half, but the game is tied," Fisher said of Duncan's shot.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead of swimming in towards the shelter of the shore, as some have, I head further into the more exposed bit of the lake and have a great half an hour or so body surfing the waves.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The provider then capped off a great half for the Potters when he smashed in the third into the roof of the net from close range.

BBC

Djabou's goal provided a cap to a great half for the Fennec Foxes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Its good folk have compiled a great half-hour mix for this column that Fortuna's Zack Bar describes as: "a spotlight shone on our favourite Greek tunes.

The Guardian - Music

He has all the attributes to be a great half-back over here and is already showing the quality he possesses.

BBC

They took the lead when Norris, who had quite a quiet game, gave Gilks no chance with a great half-volley.

BBC

David Edwards agreed with this, writing that although "there's a great half-hour show rattling around...the rest is padding at its very dullest", concluding that it "isn't a terrible film, just a terribly disappointing one".

Wikipedia

But Chastain half alive is a great actress half wasted.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event divided into halves (like sports games), use "a great first half" or "a great second half" to specifically highlight the quality of play during that period.

Common error

Avoid using "a great half" solely based on personal preference without objective evidence or descriptive detail. Instead of saying, "It was a great half", specify what made it great: "It was a great half, filled with strategic plays and high scores."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great half" functions primarily as a descriptive expression. It combines the adjective "great" to positively qualify the noun "half", indicating a portion or segment of something that is considered excellent or of high quality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a great half" is a grammatically correct and descriptive expression used to positively evaluate a segment of time or an event. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that the phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While not overly common, it is readily understood and can be effectively used to highlight the positive aspects of a particular portion, especially in sports or performance-related settings. Remember to use it with objective justification rather than as a simple subjective statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an excellent portion

Replaces "great" with "excellent" and "half" with the more general term "portion", maintaining the sense of a positive segment.

a superb section

Substitutes "great" with "superb" and "half" with "section", suggesting a high-quality part of something.

a fantastic segment

Replaces "great" with "fantastic" and "half" with "segment", implying an enjoyable and noteworthy part.

a remarkable period

Uses "remarkable" instead of "great" and "period" in place of "half", highlighting a significant and positive time frame.

a wonderful division

Employs "wonderful" as a substitute for "great" and "division" for "half", conveying a delightful and well-defined part.

an impressive part

Generalizes the phrase by using "impressive" instead of "great" and "part" instead of "half", indicating something noteworthy.

a splendid chunk

Replaces "great" with "splendid" and "half" with the informal "chunk", suggesting a delightful and substantial piece.

a brilliant spell

Substitutes "great" with "brilliant" and "half" with "spell", implying a period of outstanding performance.

a top-notch fraction

Uses "top-notch" to replace "great" and "fraction" to replace "half", suggesting high quality in a smaller amount.

a stellar portion

Replaces "great" with "stellar" and "half" with "portion", conveying an outstanding and significant part.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great half" to describe a portion of time or an event that was particularly successful or enjoyable. For example, "The team played "a great half", scoring three goals." or "The first half of the concert was "a great half", with all the band's best hits."

What can I say instead of "a great half"?

You can use alternatives like "an excellent portion", "a superb section", or "a fantastic segment" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a great half" or should I use another phrase?

Saying ""a great half"" is grammatically correct, but it's important to ensure the context is clear. Consider using it when describing a specific portion of time or an event. For example, "The first half was "a great half", but the second half could have been better".

What's the difference between "a great half" and "a good half"?

"A great half" implies a higher level of quality or success than "a good half". "Great" suggests something exceptional, while "good" simply indicates something satisfactory or above average.