drop by half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "drop by half" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is a phrase that is used to describe a decrease, usually in quantity, or a decrease in value or amount. For example, "Profits have dropped by half over the past quarter".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Deliveries to the North Fork drop by half, he said, reflecting the less seasonal economy there.

The New York Times

BASF, the world's biggest chemical company, saw its profits drop by half as both volumes and prices slumped.

The Economist

In contrast, Japan's human population, loath to reproduce, is expected to drop by half this century, to 65 million.

The New York Times

Terry Sneed, a theatrical director in Knoxville, Tenn., has watched his investments drop by half this year.

The New York Times

In those tests, regulators supposed the unemployment rate would spike to 13 percent, stocks would drop by half and home values would drop by more than a fifth.

The New York Times

Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project officials say they fear that approvals will drop by half, with most rejected — falsely — as security risks.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

By 1950, it had dropped by half.

The Guardian - Business

After the change, attrition dropped by half.

The New York Times

Its cash reserves have dropped by half.

The New York Times - Arts

dropped by half, and 21 fewer I.C.U.

The New York Times - Books

By 2010, the number had dropped by half, to 1,600.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "drop by half", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced. For clarity, specify the units or quantity involved, such as "sales dropped by half" or "the population dropped by half".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by making it explicit what is being halved. Saying "prices dropped by half" is less clear than saying "the price of crude oil dropped by half".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drop by half" functions as a quantifying expression, indicating a reduction to 50 percent of the original value or amount. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "drop by half" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a 50% reduction in quantity or value. As Ludwig AI confirms, it finds frequent use in news, science, and business contexts, and it maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for diverse audiences. When using "drop by half", be mindful of clarity by specifying the subject and units involved. Alternatives like "decrease by 50 percent" or "halve" offer similar meanings but may vary in formality. It's essential to clarify the subject of the reduction to prevent confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease by 50 percent

Quantifies the reduction explicitly as 50 percent.

reduce by half

Uses a more direct verb for reduction.

halve

Expresses the action of dividing by two in a concise manner.

fall by 50%

Replaces "drop" with "fall" and specifies the percentage.

decline by half

Employs "decline" to indicate a reduction.

diminish by 50 percent

Uses a more formal verb "diminish" to indicate reduction and specific percentage.

be cut in half

Emphasizes the action of cutting something into two equal parts, indicating a 50% reduction.

see a 50 percent reduction

Focuses on observing the reduction rather than the action itself.

be reduced twofold

Uses "twofold" to imply the halving effect.

decrease twofold

Employs "twofold" with a more direct verb to imply the halving effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "drop by half" to describe a reduction in quantity, value, or amount. For example, "After the scandal, the company's stock price "dropped by half"".

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

Alternatives include "decrease by 50 percent", "reduce by half", or simply "halve" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "decrease by half" or "drop by half"?

"Decrease by half" and "drop by half" are both correct. "Decrease" is more formal, while "drop" is more informal. The best choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.

What does it mean when something is said to "drop by half"?

When something "drops by half", it means that its quantity, value, or amount is reduced to 50% of its original value. In other words, it is cut in half.