approximately half of

USAGE SUMMARY

"approximately half of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you're referring to a quantity that is close to, but not exactly, equal to half of a given set or group. For example, "approximately half of the attendees came from out of town."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Approximately half of the increase remains unexplained.

The New York Times

Approximately half of the R.D.B.'s dancers are not Danish.

The New Yorker

I had used up approximately half of the charge.

The New York Times

Approximately half of Canada's immigrants come through the point system.

The New York Times

LGC_D8 is approximately half of LCA.

CATENA

Approximately half of migraineurs experienced insufficient sleep.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Approximately half of Smith's students study abroad.

Forbes

Approximately half of the UML language was reused.

Practical Guide to SysML The Systems Modeling Language

Approximately half of the PD patients developed dyskinesias.

EJNMMI Research

Approximately half of oral cancers are detected in advanced stages.

Health Economics Review

Approximately half of those employed work in installation.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "approximately half of" when precision isn't crucial, but you want to convey a quantity close to 50%. It's suitable for general statements and summaries.

Common error

Avoid using "approximately half of" when you have exact data. Instead, state the precise percentage or fraction if accuracy is important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximately half of" functions as a determiner or quantifier, specifying an indefinite quantity close to one half. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used when referring to a quantity near, but not exactly, 50%.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "approximately half of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a quantity close to 50%. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for written English. It is frequently used in both scientific and news contexts to provide an estimated proportion without requiring exact figures. While alternatives like "nearly half of" or "almost half of" exist, the choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality. Remember to avoid using it when precise data is available. The wide range of sources utilizing this phrase underscores its general acceptance and utility in conveying approximate quantities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly half of

Slightly more formal, emphasizes the closeness to half.

almost half of

Common alternative, suggesting a slight deviation from being exactly half.

roughly half of

Indicates an estimate or approximation of half.

around half of

Implies a rounded estimation of half.

about half of

A very general way of saying close to half.

in the vicinity of fifty percent of

More technical, specifies the percentage.

close to fifty percent of

Highlights nearness to the 50% mark.

just under fifty percent of

Focuses on being a little less than fifty percent.

slightly less than half of

More precise in indicating being under half.

a little over forty percent of

Quantifies more specifically, replacing "half" with an adjacent percentage.

FAQs

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

Use "approximately half of" to indicate a quantity that is close to, but not exactly, 50%. For example, "Approximately half of the students passed the exam."

What are some alternatives to "approximately half of"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly half of", "almost half of", or "roughly half of" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "approximately half" or "about half"?

Both "approximately half" and "about half" are acceptable, but "approximately half" is slightly more formal. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What's the difference between "approximately half of" and "exactly half of"?

"Approximately half of" suggests an estimate close to 50%, while "exactly half of" indicates precisely 50%. Use "exactly half of" only when the amount is precisely known.