around one half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around one half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when estimating or approximating a quantity that is close to 50%. Example: "The survey results indicated that around one half of the participants preferred option A over option B."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

In the Queen Charlotte Islands of British Columbia, 49 landslides ranging in age from 1 to 155 years were surveyed and it was found that the trees on landslides averaging an age of 85 years produced around one half the wood volumes of normal second-growth stands of the same age (Smith et al. [1986]).

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

Of the 17,000 American troops set to be deployed, around one half of them are to be sent to Helmand.

The New York Times

Around one half of Australian research-based graduates enter the private sector, a proportion slightly lower than that of comparable American graduates.

Education for Chemical Engineers

However, without consideration for shear enhancements, a more conservative spacing for transverse anchoring is recommended to be around one half the height of the girder.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Logs from eroded sites where tree age averaged 85 years were around one half the volume of normal second-growth stands of the same age.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

The quantity of synthetic fibers produced in China has ranked No. 1 in the world since 1998, but the production of plastics is still lagging far behind, with around one half being imported from abroad.

Science Progress in China

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The actual throughput experienced is around one-half of the one provided by the vendor.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Retrospective studies have found that visual hallucinations and RBD can be present in around one-half of DLB cases prior to or around the onset of memory loss [ 24, 29, 30].

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

Around one-half (50.9%) of non-vaccinated women did not recall influenza vaccination being mentioned by midwives or doctors and a similar proportion (47.1%) reported choosing against vaccination during pregnancy because they are not usually vaccinated when not pregnant.> -wrap-foot> *The Pearson Chi-square statistic is significant at the.01 level.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Our finding of a similar RSV and influenza burden among the elderly is in agreement with US studies [ 5, 29], but not with a UK study of influenza and RSV mortality (1999 to 2010) by Hardelid et al. in which the burden of RSV deaths (using ONS data) was estimated to be around one-half that of influenza [ 19].

BMC Infectious Diseases

Overall, the life course trajectory described above was taken by around one-half of the Italian women born 1967 1978, and the choice to take this trajectory seems to have been determined to a large extent by whether or not a woman decided to pursue a career after she graduated.

European Journal of Population

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "around one half", ensure the context calls for an approximation rather than an exact figure. For precise measurements, use specific numbers or percentages.

Common error

Avoid following "around one half" with overly precise numbers. For example, saying "around one half, or 51.3%" is contradictory; if precision is required, omit "around".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around one half" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, indicating an approximate quantity. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's employed to describe a proportion close to 50% without requiring precise accuracy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "around one half" serves as a common and grammatically sound way to express an approximate quantity of 50%. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, primarily in science, news media, and formal business settings. While interchangeable with alternatives like "approximately half" or "roughly fifty percent", it's essential to ensure the context requires an approximation rather than a precise figure. Avoid following the phrase with overly specific numbers to maintain consistency. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse writing styles, providing a versatile tool for indicating proportions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately half

Uses "approximately" instead of "around" to indicate an estimate, maintaining the same meaning.

roughly fifty percent

Replaces "one half" with its percentage equivalent, using "roughly" for approximation.

about fifty percent

Substitutes "around one half" with its percentage equivalent, using "about" for approximation.

close to fifty percent

Emphasizes the proximity to 50% without using "around".

nearly one half

Employs "nearly" to convey approximation instead of "around".

in the vicinity of fifty percent

A more formal way of saying "around one half", using "in the vicinity of" to indicate approximation.

something like fifty percent

Uses a more informal phrasing to indicate an approximate amount.

a little less than half

Indicates a quantity slightly below 50%, still implying a close approximation.

in the neighborhood of fifty percent

Similar to "in the vicinity of", but slightly less formal.

just under fifty percent

Highlights that the amount is slightly below the 50% mark.

FAQs

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

Use "around one half" when you want to express that a quantity is approximately 50% of a whole. For example, "Around one half of the students passed the exam".

What phrases are similar to "around one half"?

Alternatives include "approximately half", "roughly fifty percent", or "nearly one half". The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "around one half" or "about 50%"?

Both are acceptable and often interchangeable. "Around one half" may be preferred in more informal contexts, while "about 50%" might be used in more formal or technical writing.

What is the difference between "almost half" and "around one half"?

"Almost half" implies a quantity slightly less than 50%, while "around one half" suggests a quantity close to 50%, potentially slightly above or below. The nuance depends on the specific context.