approximately one half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "approximately one half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate a rough estimate of 50% of something. Example: "Approximately one half of the participants agreed with the proposed changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The levels of RGS2 in nonimplanted horns were approximately one half that of pregnant horns.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

The optimized hole-width of the LISTTM arrays was approximately one half of the designed wavelength.

Nano Energy

Nerve involvements were diverse, but in approximately one half of patients took the form of papillitis.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

Approximately one half of physicians were comfortable treating or referring a patient with the Triad.

Sports Medicine - Open

In the STOIIP calculation, the correction factors reduce the oil-in-place to approximately one half.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

In France, endothelial dysfunction represents approximately one half of the indications for corneal transplants performed each year.

Journal Français d'Ophtalmologie

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

At approximately one half-hour in, Trump got shouty for the first time.

Huffington Post

Approximately one-half of the ethylene produced each year is used to prepare the polymer polyethylene.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Approximately one-half of the ethylene is used to prepare polyethylene.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hatchlings are approximately one-half the size of a full-sized adult.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Approximately one-half of all proteins from eukaryotic sources have been estimated to be glycosylated.

Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "approximately one half", ensure the context requires an estimation rather than a precise figure. If precision is needed, provide the exact value or percentage.

Common error

Avoid using "approximately one half" when the actual value is known and significantly deviates from 50%. Instead, use the accurate figure to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "approximately one half" functions as a quantifier, specifying an estimated proportion or amount that is near to 50%. As supported by Ludwig, it serves to provide an imprecise value when the exact figure is not known or not necessary.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "approximately one half" is a useful quantifier for expressing an estimate close to 50%. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias. While not extremely frequent, it serves to indicate a general proportion rather than a precise measurement. When a precise value is required, it's best to avoid this approximation. Less formal alternatives, such as "about half" or "roughly half", can be used in more casual settings. Ludwig helps illustrate the versatility and proper application of this phrase in different writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

roughly half

This alternative offers a less formal way to express the same approximation.

about half

A more concise and informal way to express the same idea.

almost half

This substitute conveys that the actual value is slightly less than one half.

just about half

This phrase adds a slight emphasis to the approximation.

nearly fifty percent

This option uses a percentage to convey the approximate proportion.

close to fifty percent

This alternative emphasizes the proximity to the 50% mark.

around fifty percent

This phrase substitutes "approximately" with "around" while maintaining the same meaning.

approaching fifty percent

This alternative emphasizes that the value is getting closer to fifty percent.

in the vicinity of one half

This option is a more verbose and formal way of expressing the approximation.

in the neighborhood of fifty percent

A more descriptive and less common way to convey the same idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "approximately one half" to indicate a rough estimate of 50% of something. For example, "Approximately one half of the students passed the exam".

What's a less formal way to say "approximately one half"?

Less formal alternatives include "about half" or "roughly half". For example, instead of saying "Approximately one half of the attendees were late", you could say "About half of the attendees were late".

Is it better to use "approximately one half" or "around 50%"?

Both "approximately one half" and "around 50%" are acceptable. The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality. "Approximately one half" might be preferred in more formal writing, while "around 50%" can be used in more casual settings.

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

"Approximately one half" indicates an estimation close to 50%, while "exactly one half" means precisely 50%. Use "exactly one half" only when the amount is known to be precisely 50%.