fallen by half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fallen by half" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used to describe a reduction or decrease in quantity or value, but it is more common to use "fallen by half" in informal contexts. Example: "The company's profits have fallen by half since last year, leading to significant budget cuts."

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

GDP has fallen by half.

The Economist

Violent crime has fallen by half.

The New York Times

In France, they have fallen by half.

The Economist

Today, that number has fallen by half.

The Economist

Europe"In battered Europe, government deficits have fallen by half.

The Economist

In battered Europe, government deficits have fallen by half.

The Economist

The LSE's share price has fallen by half since January.

The Economist

Water supplies in some farming areas have fallen by half.

The Economist

Since then, its reported sales have fallen by half.

The New York Times

My income has fallen by half since 2010".

The Guardian

She estimated her business had fallen by half.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fallen by half", ensure the context clearly indicates what has been reduced. Providing specific details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid attributing the decrease solely to one factor without sufficient evidence. A decrease may be the result of multiple factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fallen by half" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a significant reduction or decrease in a specific quantity, value, or rate. It quantifies the extent of the decline, showing a reduction to 50% of the original amount. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it's used across various contexts to describe declines in GDP, share prices, or even populations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

10%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fallen by half" is a common and generally acceptable way to describe a 50% reduction in something. While Ludwig AI suggests that it might be perceived as less formal in certain contexts, it is widely used across news, media, and academic writing. When using the expression, be specific about what has decreased and consider the appropriate level of formality for your audience. Alternative phrases such as "decreased by 50 percent" may be preferred in more formal settings. It is most frequently encountered in the context of News and Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreased by 50 percent

Quantifies the decrease, using a percentage instead of a fraction.

dropped by half

Similar to "fallen by half" but uses a different verb.

halved in value

Focuses on the reduction in monetary worth or importance.

reduced to half its original size

Emphasizes the proportional decrease in size or quantity.

declined by 50%

Uses a more formal term for decrease and specifies the percentage.

shrunk by 50 percent

Suggests a reduction in size or scope.

cut in half

Implies a more abrupt or decisive reduction.

diminished by half

Uses a more formal and nuanced term for reduction.

saw a 50% reduction

Focuses on the occurrence of a reduction, using a more descriptive phrase.

lessened by half

Emphasizes the easing or alleviation aspect of the reduction.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "fallen by half" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives such as "decreased by 50 percent", "reduced by 50 percent", or "experienced a 50 percent reduction" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "fallen by half" in academic writing?

While "fallen by half" is generally acceptable, it might be perceived as less formal. In academic writing, consider using phrases like "decreased by 50 percent" or "reduced to half" for a more professional tone.

What are some common things that might "fall by half"?

Common examples include prices, values, rates, or quantities. For instance, "The price of oil has "fallen by half"", or "The unemployment rate has "fallen by half"".

What's the difference between ""fallen by half"" and "halved"?

"Fallen by half" describes the process of decreasing, while "halved" describes the state of being reduced to half. You might say "The price has "fallen by half"", meaning it has decreased, or "The price is now halved", meaning it's at half its original value.