at worst half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at worst half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a maximum negative outcome or a minimal expectation in a given situation. Example: "The project will take at worst half the time we initially estimated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

At worst, half of the channel measurements showed flooding on bayous flowing east toward Lake Houston.

The Washington Post

Publishing their results today in the journal the Proceedings of the Royal Society A, the pair showed that the new method produces, at worst, half the carbon emissions of recycling, and, at best, nearly one-twentieth.

MIT Technology Review

You'd pay tax on this appreciation only when and if you chose to sell, and your rate would be (at worst) half that imposed on dividends.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

At worst about half of those might go bad.

Forbes

"This is the worst half by Germany in a long time, at the very least this year," the announcer declared after 45 minutes.

The New York Times

"Our worst half of football," Haley said.

The New York Times - Sports

Floyd had won the 1st and 3rd holes and was never behind, and when he tapped in a three-footer to halve the 16th it meant he had, at worst, a half-point and that Europe could no longer win.

The Guardian - Sport

Woods' score of 44 was his worst half-a-round since shooting 43 in 2010 at Quail Hallow.

Los Angeles Times

Before the earthquake, Haiti's education system was, at worst, inaccessible — with half the primary school-age children not in school — and at best "mediocre," as a presidential commission on education said.

The New York Times

And at worst, they minimize half the population by constantly calling them fat and turning them into a species that requires its own type of food.

Huffington Post

But after her presentation, which after all was about a contagion that could, at its worst, kill half the people it infects, the volunteers seemed more like Dr. Rieux, the central character in Albert Camus's novel "The Plague," who helps people at the risk of his own life because, well, that is what people should do.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at worst half" to clearly define the lower bound or most negative expectation in estimations, predictions, or risk assessments. It adds a layer of transparency, ensuring the audience understands the potential downside.

Common error

Avoid using "at worst half" when you intend to convey complete failure. It signifies a minimal, though potentially undesirable, outcome, not a total loss. For complete failure use "total loss" or "complete failure" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at worst half" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a statement by specifying a minimum expected outcome, even under unfavorable conditions. It serves to qualify or limit the potential negative impact of a situation. Ludwig's examples corroborate this function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at worst half" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that serves as an adverbial modifier, setting a minimum expectation or defining the least favorable outcome. It is considered to be of neutral register and can be used both professionally and informally. While the phrase might not be extremely common, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it adds clarity when conveying potential downsides. Best practice involves using it to set clear boundaries in predictions or estimations, avoiding its use when referring to total failure. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is valid and provides examples from reliable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the worst-case scenario, half

Rephrases using a more explicit "worst-case scenario" structure.

even in the worst outcome, half

Stresses that even the most adverse conditions still yield at least half.

at the very least, half

Focuses on the least favorable but still acceptable outcome.

in the most unfavorable case, half

Uses formal wording to indicate the most negative possible situation.

should the worst happen, half

A conditional phrase indicating the minimum result if the worst scenario occurs.

at a minimum, half

Emphasizes the minimum expected value in a negative context.

worst comes to worst, half

An idiomatic variation emphasizing the worst possible situation.

if everything goes wrong, half

Highlights a completely negative situation leading to the stated minimum.

in a dire situation, half

Highlights the severity of the circumstances leading to the minimum expectation.

at rock bottom, half

Uses a vivid metaphor to denote the lowest possible point.

FAQs

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

You can use "at worst half" to express the least favorable outcome that you expect. For example: "The project will take, at worst, half the time we initially estimated".

What phrases are similar to "at worst half"?

Similar phrases include "at most half", "no more than half", or "at a minimum half" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "at worst half"?

Yes, "at worst half" is grammatically correct. The phrase is used to set a lower bound or negative expectation in a statement. Ludwig AI also confirms the phrase to be correct and usable.

What is the difference between "at worst half" and "at best half"?

"At worst half" establishes the lowest acceptable outcome, while "at best half" sets the most optimistic expectation. They are opposite ends of a potential spectrum of results.