diminished by half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "diminished by half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reduction in quantity, size, or intensity, specifically indicating that something has been reduced to 50% of its original amount. Example: "After the budget cuts, our funding was diminished by half, impacting several projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

His size diminished by half.

The Guardian - Books

In the Middle Ages the population of Europe had diminished by half since Roman times.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Drunk driving hasn't been eliminated, but it has been miraculously reduced: since 1980, alcohol-related traffic deaths, as a percentage of the population, have diminished by half.

The New Yorker

"Working together has diminished by half the number of opportunities that are available to us individually," Mr. Hoefler said, "but it's doubled our ability".

The New York Times

The ranks of Colombia's military and police rose to 415,000 from 279,000 in 2007, the report noted, while the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia diminished by half to about 8,000 fighters.

The New York Times

If women had the same returns to factors as men, occupational differences would be diminished by half.

Economics of Education Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Differences between groups were diminished by one-half after 4 years (−0.88% vs. −0.05% per year in ILI and DSE, respectively) but remained significant (P < 0.01).

Diabetes Care

The bottom line is that the radiation danger diminishes by half every 30 years.

Forbes

The paper's circulation has diminished by nearly half in the last decade.

The New York Times

The Times Company paid $1.1 billion for The Globe in 1993, and for years the daily brought prestige and profits to the company, but the paper's circulation has diminished by nearly half in the last decade.

The New York Times

In contrast, the female advantage in vivo was diminished by approximately half in NOS3-deficient mice.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "diminished by half", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being reduced and that the reduction is precisely 50%. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts where precise quantification is necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "diminished by half" when the reduction is approximate or not exactly 50%. In such cases, use phrases like "significantly reduced" or "reduced by approximately half" to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diminished by half" functions as a passive construction indicating a reduction in size, quantity, or intensity to fifty percent of the original amount. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples showcasing various contexts, from population size to vocabulary range.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "diminished by half" is a grammatically correct and precise way to describe a reduction to 50% of an original amount. Ludwig AI analysis reveals it is most frequently used in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a need for quantifiable detail. While slightly more formal than alternatives like "cut in half", it's suitable for situations where accuracy and clarity are paramount. Remember to use this phrase only when the reduction is exactly 50% to avoid misleading the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reduced by fifty percent

Replaces the idiomatic "half" with a numerical percentage, making it more explicit.

Halved in size

Focuses on the size aspect of the reduction.

Cut in half

A more colloquial way to express the same reduction.

Decreased by fifty percent

Uses a more formal term, "decreased", instead of "diminished".

Fallen by half

Implies a downward trend or decline.

Diminished by 50%

Replaces "half" with the symbol for percent.

Scaled down by half

Highlights a proportional reduction.

Truncated by half

Suggests a more abrupt or forceful reduction.

Lessened by half

Emphasizes the lessening of impact or effect.

Markedly reduced

It changes 'by half' with a more generic 'markedly', indicating a significant decrease, but not as precise as 'by half'.

FAQs

What does "diminished by half" mean?

It means something has been reduced to 50% of its original value or amount. In simpler terms, it has been cut in half or "reduced by fifty percent".

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

For example, you might say: "After the restructuring, the department's budget was "diminished by half", forcing them to cut several projects."

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

Alternatives include "reduced by half", "cut in half", or "decreased by fifty percent".

Is it more formal to say "diminished by half" or "reduced by half"?

"Diminished" can sound slightly more formal than "reduced", but both are appropriate in many contexts. The choice depends on the overall tone of your writing. You may use "markedly reduced" if you don't need a more precise value.