declines by half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "declines by half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reduction in quantity or value, specifically indicating that something has decreased to 50% of its original amount. Example: "The company's profits declined by half compared to last year, prompting a reevaluation of their business strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Tritium's radioactivity declines by half every 12 years.

The New York Times

It is reckoned that, if production at Rover declines by half, it will still shave less than 1% off regional economic output.These are the sorts of points which "New" Labour, with its love of all things modern, might be expected to make.

The Economist

Nevertheless, regardless of terminology, official cases in the Union Army of nostalgia and insanity were quite rare and they peaked during the first two years of the Civil War, and then dropped markedly over the duration of the conflict in many regions, with some exhibiting declines by half or more.

The New York Times

Fecundity, the average monthly probability of conception, declines by half as early as the mid-forties; however, women during the perimenopause still need effective contraception.

BMC Nursing

This means that they have the right of a three month fully paid sick leave after which payment declines by half every three months for a maximum period of one year.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Welfare rolls have declined by half since 1995.

The New York Times

The population may decline by half in summer through migration.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Agriculture was drastically affected and declined by half.

Encyclopedia Britannica

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

Harvard University

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

The New York Times - Magazine

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

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "declines by half", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being reduced. This helps avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid incorrectly applying the "declines by half" to a changing baseline. Ensure the starting point is clearly defined before stating the reduction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declines by half" functions as a quantifying verb phrase, indicating a specific proportional decrease. It modifies a noun, specifying that the quantity or value associated with that noun has been reduced by 50%. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "declines by half" is a quantifying verb phrase used to precisely describe a 50% reduction. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct and the phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias contexts. Although currently rated as "Rare" in frequency of use, the phrase is clear and effective in conveying a specific proportional decrease. It is important to ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "reduces by 50 percent" and "is cut in half" exist, "declines by half" offers a formal and precise way to communicate this specific decrease.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Halves in value

Focuses on the resulting value after the reduction.

Reduces by 50 percent

Uses a numerical value to specify the reduction.

Is cut in half

Emphasizes the action of reducing something.

Drops to 50%

Highlights the final percentage after the decrease.

Decreases twofold

Uses a multiplier to express the reduction.

Diminishes by half

Employs a more formal verb to indicate the decrease.

Goes down by 50%

Describes the reduction in a more colloquial manner.

Experiences a 50% reduction

Turns the reduction into a nominal phrase.

Is halved

Uses a passive voice and a more concise expression.

Falls by fifty percent

Replaces "half" with its numerical equivalent.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "declines by half" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "reduces by 50 percent", "is cut in half", or "drops to 50%" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "declines by half" or "is halved"?

"Declines by half" tends to be slightly more formal than "is halved". The choice depends on the overall tone of your writing.

Can "declines by half" apply to abstract concepts?

Yes, "declines by half" can apply to abstract concepts such as popularity, influence, or value, as long as these can be quantified or measured in some way.

What's the difference between "declines by half" and "decreases significantly"?

"Declines by half" indicates a precise 50% reduction, while "decreases significantly" suggests a notable reduction without specifying the exact amount. "Decreases significantly" implies a substantial drop, but leaves the magnitude open to interpretation.