almost half

USAGE SUMMARY

"almost half" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe an amount or percentage that is close to but not quite 50%. For example, "Almost half the class missed the exam due to illness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Almost half are disabled.

The New York Times

Almost half won't seek treatment.

The New Yorker

Almost half remained nameless.

The New York Times - Books

Almost half are refused.

The Washington Post

Today, almost half is.

The Washington Post

Almost half never marry.

The New York Times - Magazine

Almost half the entrants are female.

Independent

Almost half have involved violent incidents.

The Economist

Almost half the population lives in poverty.

The Economist

"America is almost half the market.

Independent

Almost half of them are over 65.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject you're describing with "almost half" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Almost half of the students" is clearer than "Almost half agreed."

Common error

Avoid using "almost half" when the actual proportion is significantly lower. If the actual value is closer to a third or a quarter, use more accurate descriptors such as "nearly a third" or "around a quarter" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost half" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a proportion close to, but less than, 50%. It is used to provide an approximate sense of quantity. Ludwig AI validates this usage by presenting various real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

6%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost half" is a common and acceptable way to express a quantity or proportion that is close to, but not quite, 50%. As validated by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in various contexts, including news, academic writing, and business communication. While grammatically correct and widely understood, it's essential to consider whether a more precise value would be more appropriate, depending on the context. Be aware of potential misrepresentations and avoid using the phrase when the actual proportion deviates significantly from 50%.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Nearly half

This alternative is highly similar, using "nearly" to convey a close approximation.

Close to half

This alternative uses "close to" for a less precise but still approximate quantity.

Approximately half

This alternative uses "approximately" to indicate an estimated quantity.

Around half

This alternative uses "around" to suggest a general estimate.

Roughly half

This alternative uses "roughly" to indicate an approximate quantity.

Just under half

This alternative emphasizes that the proportion is slightly less than 50%.

Slightly less than half

This alternative is more explicit in stating the proportion is below 50%.

A large minority

This alternative shifts from a numerical estimate to a qualitative description.

A substantial portion

This alternative describes a significant but unspecified fraction.

In the neighborhood of fifty percent

This alternative provides a percentage-based expression.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost half" to describe quantities or proportions that are slightly less than 50%. For example, "Almost half of the participants agreed with the proposal".

What are some alternatives to saying "almost half"?

Alternatives include "nearly half", "close to half", or "approximately half", depending on the desired level of precision.

Is it more accurate to use "almost half" or a specific percentage?

While "almost half" is acceptable for general communication, using a specific percentage (e.g., "48%") is more accurate and informative, especially in formal writing or reports.

What's the difference between "almost half" and "more than half"?

"Almost half" indicates a quantity slightly below 50%, whereas "more than half" suggests a quantity exceeding 50%. They represent opposite sides of the 50% threshold.