about half of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about half of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a quantity or amount that is roughly half of the total amount. For example, "About half of the students in the class did not pass the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

About half of them do.

The New York Times

About half of those are political prisoners.

The New York Times

About half of Medicaid recipients are children.

The New York Times - Health

"About half of them are Jim's".

The New Yorker

About half of the catch is exported.

Encyclopedia Britannica

About half of the property is wooded.

The New York Times

About half of them have returned.

Independent

All in all, about half of I.C.U.

The New Yorker

About half of that is advertising revenue.

The New York Times

About half of these are portraits.

The New Yorker

About half of them were actually barefoot.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about half of", ensure the context provides a clear reference for the total quantity being halved. This avoids ambiguity and makes your statement more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "about half of" when a more precise figure is available. If you know the exact percentage or number, it's better to use it for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about half of" functions as a prepositional modifier, typically quantifying a noun or pronoun. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "about half of" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that provides an approximate estimation of 50% of a given quantity. Ludwig confirms it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general communication. While it's essential to ensure the context clearly defines the total quantity, it is also important to avoid using the phrase when a more precise figure is available. Alternatives like "approximately 50% of", "around half of", and "roughly half of" can be used for variety or when greater precision is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

around half of

Replaces "about" with "around" to indicate a similar level of approximation.

roughly half of

Substitutes "about" with "roughly" for a less precise estimate.

nearly half of

Emphasizes that the amount is just below half.

approximately 50% of

Uses a percentage to provide a more specific estimate.

close to 50% of

Indicates the quantity is near but not exactly 50%.

just under half of

Highlights that the amount is a little less than half.

a little less than half of

More descriptive way to say just under half.

in the vicinity of half of

More formal way of saying approximately half.

half or so of

Casual way to indicate around half.

something like half of

Informal alternative that introduces slight uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "about half of" in a sentence?

You can use "about half of" to indicate that a quantity is approximately 50% of a total. For instance, "About half of the attendees were female".

What can I say instead of "about half of"?

You can use alternatives like "approximately 50% of", "around half of", or "roughly half of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "about half of" or "approximately 50% of"?

Both "about half of" and "approximately 50% of" are acceptable. "About half of" is more informal, while "approximately 50% of" is more precise. Choose the one that fits the tone and context of your writing.

When should I avoid using "about half of"?

Avoid using "about half of" when you have access to more accurate data or when the context requires a high degree of precision. In such cases, using specific percentages or fractions is preferable.