at least half

USAGE SUMMARY

'at least half' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate a minimum amount out of a whole. For example: "I have at least half of the money saved for the vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At least half.

The New York Times - Sports

At least half a tank.

The New York Times

Humans started at least half.

The Economist

That's at least half-right.

The New York Times

Works at least half the time".

The New Yorker

At least half the population was enslaved.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At least half have no income.

The New Yorker

At least half a million died.

The New Yorker

At least half a dozen phone communications.

The New York Times

The boast is at least half right.

The Economist

At least half are kittens.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at least half", ensure the context clearly defines what the 'whole' or 'total' is that you're referencing.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "at least half" means exactly 50%. It indicates a minimum of 50%, which can include more.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at least half" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating a minimum proportion or amount. As shown by Ludwig, it is widely used to express that something is not less than 50% of a whole. It often modifies nouns, specifying a lower bound for a quantity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

21%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science & Research

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Lifestyle

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at least half" is a versatile and common quantifier used to indicate a minimum quantity or proportion, specifying that something is not less than 50% of a whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and encyclopedias. When employing "at least half", ensure clarity regarding the 'whole' being referenced. Common errors involve misinterpreting it as exactly half, so emphasize that it denotes a minimum. For alternatives, consider "a minimum of half" or "half or more" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minimum of half

Emphasizes the minimum quantity while retaining the core meaning.

half or more

Explicitly includes the possibility of exceeding half.

not less than half

Uses a more formal tone to express the minimum quantity.

at a minimum half

Rephrases the start of the phrase.

at the very least half

Adds emphasis to the minimum quantity.

fifty percent or more

Uses percentage to convey the quantity with possibility of exceeding it.

a good portion

Replaces the specific fraction with a more general term for a large amount.

a sizable chunk

Emphasizes the significant size of the portion.

a major part

Highlights that the portion is substantial and important.

considerable amount

Focuses on the amount being noteworthy.

FAQs

How can I use "at least half" in a sentence?

Use "at least half" to indicate a minimum quantity or proportion. For example, "At least half of the students passed the exam" means that 50% or more of the students achieved a passing grade.

What are some alternatives to "at least half"?

You can use phrases like "a minimum of half", "half or more", or "not less than half" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "at the very least half"?

While "at least half" already implies a minimum, adding "the very least" can emphasize the minimum aspect, but it's often unnecessary and can sound repetitive.

Can "at least half" be used with uncountable nouns?

Yes, "at least half" can be used with uncountable nouns. For example, "at least half of the water was contaminated".