around half of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around half of" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to approximately 50% or close to half of a certain group or quantity. Example: "Around half of the students in the class raised their hands to answer the question." In this example, the phrase "around half of" is used to indicate that close to 50% of the students in the class raised their hands, but not necessarily exactly half.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Accommodation Around half of all students live in university accommodation.

The Guardian

Around half of Vietnam's people are Buddhist.

The Economist

Around half of those incidents involved edibles.

The Guardian

Around half of Iceland's 235,000-strong electorate participated.

The New York Times

Around half of the planet's population is teetotal.

The Economist

Around half of its operating expenses are incurred with subcontractors.

The Economist

Oil income accounts for around half of government revenues.

The Economist

Around half of them are in the red.

The Economist

Since the 1970s, around half of Cambodia's forests have disappeared.

The Economist

Around half of the world's legal exports are British.

The Economist

Around half of new drugs are derived from natural products.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "around half of", ensure the context clearly defines the total quantity or group being referenced. For example, "Around half of the students in the class" is clearer than just "Around half."

Common error

Avoid using "around half of" without a clear reference point. Instead of saying "Around half prefer it", specify "Around half of the respondents prefer it" to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around half of" functions as a quantifier, specifying an approximate proportion. It is used to indicate that a quantity is near to, but not necessarily exactly, 50% of a given whole. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "around half of" is a versatile quantifier that approximates a proportion close to 50%. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency is high across various contexts, including News & Media and Science, though it maintains a neutral register. For more formal or precise writing, alternatives such as "approximately half of" or "roughly half of" may be considered. Remember to ensure that the reference point for the "around half of" is always clear to avoid ambiguity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately half of

This alternative is slightly more formal and precise.

roughly half of

This alternative suggests an estimate that is not exact.

about half of

This alternative is more casual and general.

nearly half of

This alternative suggests that the quantity is close to, but not quite, half.

close to half of

This alternative emphasizes the proximity to the halfway point.

half or so of

This alternative is informal and indicates an approximate quantity.

in the vicinity of half of

This alternative is more verbose and emphasizes estimation.

something like half of

This alternative is conversational and expresses approximation.

in the neighborhood of half of

This alternative is similar to "in the vicinity of", indicating an approximate amount.

a little under half of

This alternative specifies that the quantity is slightly less than half.

FAQs

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

The phrase "around half of" is used to indicate that approximately 50% of something is being referred to. For example, "Around half of the attendees were from Europe."

What phrases are similar to "around half of"?

Similar phrases include "approximately half of", "roughly half of", or "about half of", which all express a similar proportion.

Is it more appropriate to use "around half of" or "exactly half of"?

"Around half of" is suitable when the quantity is an approximation. Use "exactly half of" only when the quantity is precisely 50%.

Can "around half of" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "around half of" is acceptable in formal writing, although more precise alternatives like "approximately half of" may be preferred depending on the context.