declined by half

USAGE SUMMARY

"declined by half" is a correct and usable phrase in written English and can be used when something is reduced by half or has decreased to half of its original level.
For example, "The number of visitors at the museum declined by half this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Agriculture was drastically affected and declined by half.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Welfare rolls have declined by half since 1995.

The New York Times

Since then, that number was thought to have declined by half.

The New York Times

Toxic emissions declined by half; days of dangerous smog levels declined by two-thirds.

The New York Times - Magazine

The number of women with obstetric complications who were admitted for treatment in participating facilities tripled, and the proportion of those women dying declined by half.

International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics

MeVC shares, which began trading at $20 in June on the New York Stock Exchange, have since declined by half.

The New York Times

His own personal wealth has declined by half, to some $2bn, but personal wealth was never the point.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

In the communities where CHOs were deployed whether with or without zurugelu volunteers child mortality declined by one-half in only 3 years.

Global health, science and practice

The population may decline by half in summer through migration.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It takes a decade for the stored-up bisphosphonate in the body to decline by half.

Harvard University

report said, growth in advanced economies could decline by half a percentage point annually.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "halved" or "reduced by 50 percent" for variety in your writing, but maintain consistency within the same document or article.

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader knows the original value before the decline. Always provide the initial value or a reference point to make the "declined by half" statement meaningful and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declined by half" functions as a modifier, specifically describing the extent of a decrease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used to quantify a reduction to 50% of the original value. Examples show its usage across diverse subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

39%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "declined by half" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a 50% reduction. As Ludwig AI verifies, it's common in news, science, and encyclopedic content. While synonyms exist, such as "halved" or "reduced by 50 percent", context determines the best choice. When using this phrase, be clear about the baseline to avoid ambiguity. Although versatile, technical writing might benefit from more precise numerical expressions. Overall, "declined by half" effectively communicates a significant reduction in a wide range of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reduced by 50 percent

Expresses the same concept using a percentage instead of a fraction.

Halved

A concise and direct synonym, suitable for many contexts.

Decreased to 50 percent of its original value

More explicit about the change in value, useful for clarity.

Fell to half its previous amount

Uses "fell" to indicate a downward trend, adding dynamism.

Diminished by 50%

Replaces "declined" with "diminished," keeping the percentage.

Was cut in half

Emphasizes a more forceful or deliberate reduction.

Dropped to half

Uses "dropped" to indicate a quick or sudden decrease.

Shrank by 50 percent

Implies a physical reduction in size or quantity.

Lessened by half

Replaces "declined" with "lessened," suggesting a gradual reduction.

Saw a 50 percent reduction

Focuses on the observation of a reduction, suitable for reports or analyses.

FAQs

How can I use "declined by half" in a sentence?

You can use "declined by half" to describe a situation where a quantity or value has been reduced to 50% of its original amount. For example, "After the policy change, sales "declined by half"."

What are some alternatives to saying "declined by half"?

Alternatives include "halved", "reduced by 50 percent", or "fell to half", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "declined by half" or "decreased by 50 percent"?

Both phrases are correct and usable, but "declined by half" might sound more natural in certain contexts, while "decreased by 50 percent" is more precise and suitable for technical or statistical writing.

What does "declined by half" imply about the change?

"Declined by half" implies a significant reduction in quantity, value, or number, specifically a 50% decrease from the original amount.