ask for half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for half" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when requesting a portion or a share of something, typically in a context where something is being divided or shared. Example: "If you want to split the bill, just ask for half when the waiter comes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

'Ask for half,' she muttered.

The Guardian - Travel

Many contractors ask for half of their payment upfront before they begin a job.

The Washington Post

Saturday is a workday, but she plans to ask for half of the day off to attend the protest.

The New York Times

As rain continued to fall tonight, they did not announce how many of those 167,785 fans, who had paid between $85 and $210 for a ticket, had called to ask for half of their money back.

The New York Times - Sports

Bangladesh has had to ask for half a million tonnes of food aid - a severe blow to the pride of a country that had been trying to wean itself off international assistance.

The Guardian

Though the agreement entitled her to fourteen million dollars plus a forty-six-room house in Connecticut, she and her counsel decided to ask for half of everything Trump owned; extrapolating from Donald's blustery pronouncements over the years, they pegged her share at two and a half billion.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Fourteen and a half years later, Kernott asked for half of the Badger Hall property.

The Guardian

✒Last week I mentioned a joke about the man in a supermarket who asks for half a lettuce.

The Guardian

She asked for half of Mr. Goldman's $1 billion in assets, New York City's largest private real-estate empire.

The New York Times

Mrs. Wendt is asking for half of Mr. Wendt's corporate worth, which her lawyers estimate to be between $45 million and $130 million.

The New York Times

But Mr. Obama asked for half measures and got far less than half, and it isn't surprising that those who worked for his election are disgusted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When negotiating, clearly state your desired outcome by using "ask for half" to avoid ambiguity and show assertiveness.

Common error

Don't assume that a division will be automatically equal. Always clarify your expectations by using "ask for half" to ensure you receive the portion you anticipate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for half" primarily functions as a verb phrase used to express a request for an equal share of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ask for half" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to request an equal portion of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English writing. While broadly applicable, its suitability depends on the context and the fairness of an equal division. As shown through Ludwig's examples, it is frequently used in news and media, wikis and general writing, and in scientific content. When in doubt, consider alternatives like "request a portion" for a more formal tone or "demand half" for a stronger emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request a portion

Replaces 'ask' with 'request' and specifies 'portion' instead of 'half', indicating a general amount.

seek a share

Substitutes 'ask' with 'seek' and 'half' with 'share', changing the tone to a more formal expression of wanting a part of something.

demand half

Replaces 'ask' with 'demand', suggesting a more forceful request for half of something.

put in a claim for half

Replaces the direct request with a more formal claim, suggesting a right or entitlement to half.

enquire about a moiety

Uses 'enquire' as a more formal synonym for 'ask' and 'moiety' for 'half', increasing the formality and specificity.

solicit half

Uses 'solicit' instead of 'ask', implying a request or appeal for half, often in a formal or business context.

seek an equal split

Focuses on the outcome of splitting something equally, instead of directly asking for half.

negotiate for 50 percent

Replaces the direct request with a negotiation, specifying the desired percentage.

apply for half

Suggests a formal application process for obtaining half of something.

express interest in half

Conveys a less direct approach, simply indicating an interest in receiving half.

FAQs

How can I use "ask for half" in a sentence?

You can use "ask for half" when requesting 50% of something, as in "When splitting the bill, don't hesitate to "ask for half"".

What is a more formal way to say "ask for half"?

A more formal alternative to "ask for half" is to "request a portion" or to "seek a share", depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to "ask for half"?

While grammatically correct, whether it's appropriate to ""ask for half"" depends on the situation and fairness of the division. Consider the context and if an equal split is justified.

What's the difference between "ask for half" and "demand half"?

"Ask for half" implies a request, while "demand half" suggests a more forceful and less negotiable approach.