almost a half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost a half" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is close to being half of a whole. For example: - "I ate almost a half of the pizza before I got full." - "They have almost a half of the votes they need to win the election." - "She has saved almost a half of her paycheck for the past six months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

A year later, that number had grown to almost a half a million, according to Google Analytics.

The New York Times

Chicago has almost a half million Poles.

The New Yorker

The modern women's movement is almost a half century old.

Harvard Business Review

Theoretically, almost a half million American boys qualify for treatment.

The New York Times - Health

The euro area will also slow, tempering demand in the market that purchases almost a half.

The Economist

The dynasty has now held power for almost a half century.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

It was almost a half-century too late.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was almost a half-hour into the journey.

The New York Times - Magazine

In normal circumstances, replacing a coach who served almost a half-century is a daunting task.

The New York Times - Sports

We're almost a half-century now into organized collaborations between art and technology.

The New York Times

The American occupation of the Philippines lasted almost a half-century.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost a half" when you want to convey a quantity that is slightly less than 50% or one half of something. It's suitable for both general and specific contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "almost a half" when a more general term like "around a third" or "about 40%" would be more appropriate, especially when precise figures are unavailable. Vague estimations enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost a half" functions as a modifier to quantify an amount or degree that is slightly less than one half. This is observed across numerous examples in Ludwig, indicating its consistent grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost a half" is a grammatically sound and common phrase used to indicate a quantity that is slightly less than one half. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal communications. While alternatives like "nearly a half" or "just under a half" exist, "almost a half" offers a concise way to express approximation. It's essential to avoid using it when precision is required or when the quantity is exactly half. This guidance ensures clarity and accuracy in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly a half

Replaces "almost" with "nearly", maintaining a similar level of precision.

just under a half

Emphasizes that the quantity is slightly below half.

close to a half

Indicates proximity to the halfway point.

approximately a half

Replaces "almost" with "approximately", suggesting an estimate.

in the vicinity of a half

A more formal way to express a quantity close to half.

not quite a half

Highlights that the quantity is less than half.

slightly less than a half

Explicitly states that the quantity is a bit below half.

a little under a half

Informal way to indicate being slightly less than half.

shy of a half

Implies that the quantity is just short of being half.

approaching a half

Suggests the quantity is moving towards but hasn't reached half.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost a half" to describe quantities or proportions that are slightly less than one half. For instance, "almost a half million" or "almost a half century".

What's a good alternative to saying "almost a half"?

Alternatives include phrases like "nearly a half", "just under a half", or "close to a half", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "almost a half" or "slightly less than half"?

Both phrases are correct, but "almost a half" is generally more concise. "Slightly less than half" might be preferred for emphasis or in formal contexts.

When should I avoid using the phrase "almost a half"?

Avoid using "almost a half" when describing something that is exactly half. In such cases, simply use "half". Additionally, if high precision is required, provide the exact percentage or fraction instead of an approximation.