and a half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and a half" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a measurement of time, distance, or amount, or when referring to a whole that is incomplete. For example: "John had to wait an hour and a half for his appointment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Five and a half!

The New York Times

"And a half".

The New York Times

One and a half cheers.

The New York Times

"A million and a half.

The New Yorker

"Twelve and a half hours.

The New Yorker

Still nine and a half.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"An hour-and-a half?" he said.

The New Yorker

The one-and-a-half million children?

Independent

I was 7-and-a-half.

The New York Times

"That's one-and-a-half Texases.

The New York Times

I was 29-and-a-half stone.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "and a half" to describe time, ensure it is clear what unit of time you're referring to (e.g., "an hour and a half", not just "and a half").

Common error

Avoid using "and a half" when a more precise decimal or fractional representation is required, especially in technical or scientific writing. For example, prefer "1.5" over "one and a half" in equations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and a half" functions as a modifier indicating an additional one-half unit following a whole number. Ludwig's examples show it quantifying various nouns like time, distance, and abstract concepts. It is used to express amounts greater than whole numbers but less than the next integer.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "and a half" is a common and grammatically correct way to express quantities that include a whole number plus one-half, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's versatile and appears frequently in news, wiki content, and business communications. While generally suitable for neutral to informal registers, it's important to consider the context; formal or technical writing may benefit from using decimals or fractions for greater precision. According to Ludwig, its function is primarily to express quantities that are not whole numbers, enhancing communication by allowing for intermediate amounts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and one half

Uses the written form of the fraction.

one point five

Uses a decimal to represent the quantity.

point five

Replaces "and a half" with a decimal representation.

half again as much

Indicates that the quantity is increased by half of its original value.

plus a half

Emphasizes the addition of a half portion.

an additional half

Highlights the addition of a fractional part.

fifty percent more

Expresses "and a half" as a percentage increase.

augmented by fifty percent

Formally expresses an increase of fifty percent.

half over

A colloquial alternative suggesting 'a little more than'.

and fifty

Abbreviated form where 'fifty' implies fifty percent or half.

FAQs

How do I properly use "and a half" in a sentence?

The phrase "and a half" typically follows a whole number to indicate an additional one-half of the unit being measured. For example, "I waited for two "hours and a half"."

What are some alternatives to using "and a half"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "one and one half", "one point five", or specify the measurement, such as "an hour and thirty minutes" instead of "an hour and a half".

Is it ever incorrect to use "and a half"?

While generally acceptable in spoken and informal written English, using "and a half" might be less suitable in formal or technical contexts where precise numerical values are preferred. In such cases, a decimal or fraction is more appropriate.

How does the formality of writing influence the use of "and a half"?

In informal writing, "and a half" is perfectly fine. However, for academic papers or professional reports, consider using decimals (e.g., 2.5) or fractions (e.g., 2 1/2) for greater precision and formality.