fifty-fifty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fifty-fifty" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where two parties share something equally or where there is an equal chance of two outcomes. Example: "We decided to split the costs of the dinner fifty-fifty to make it fair for both of us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"What do you think the chance is? Fifty-fifty?" "Maybe," I said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Fifty years ago Mexico was one of the world's great producers of people.

The Economist

Shades of (Gricean?) implicature here: if I say "you can have five dollars" I mean "five dollars and only five", not "fifty dollars and my watch".

The Economist

A generation ago, Warren says, basics (housing costs, health insurance, transportation, education, and taxes) accounted for fifty-four per cent of the average family's income.

The Economist

In total, only twelve of the fifty-four partieitherher signed the manifesto or agreed orally.

The Guardian

Related: Elizabeth Warren on the presidency: Fifty shades of nay Warren, a senator for Massachusetts, is refusing to enter the race, to the frustration of liberal Democrats who have been imploring her to run.

The Guardian

"You are the boss, we are your servants," Clegg said, as if borrowing dialogue from Fifty Shades.

The Guardian

Fifty minutes later, the audience reacted with what he describes as "shocked applause".

The Guardian

A Wanted Man, also by Lee Child, was the second most popular while Fifty Shades of Grey became the third most borrowed book in UK libraries in 2012-13.

The Guardian

The 25-title chart is dominated, as it has been for much of the summer, by EL James's Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy – itself originally published as fan fiction.

The Guardian - Books

Fifty feet above it, shards of Hadrian's Wall stubornly clung to the top of a vast crag.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fifty-fifty" when you want to clearly and concisely indicate an equal division of something, whether it's resources, responsibilities, or probabilities. For instance, "Let's go fifty-fifty on the bill".

Common error

Avoid using "fifty-fifty" in situations where the split isn't exactly equal or when more precision is required. Instead of saying, "We'll split it fifty-fifty," if one person is contributing more, use precise percentages or amounts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fifty-fifty" functions primarily as an adverb or adjective, modifying a noun to indicate equal division or probability. For instance, "a fifty-fifty chance" or "split the costs fifty-fifty". Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fifty-fifty" is a versatile expression used to denote equal division or probability. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as an adverb or adjective, commonly found in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to use it in situations where an exact equal split is intended, and to avoid it when more precise language is necessary. Alternative phrases such as "equal shares" or "half and half" can be used depending on the specific context. Finally, remember to be clear and specific when describing proportions to minimize any kind of misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Equal shares

Focuses on the equal distribution aspect.

Half and half

A common alternative emphasizing the two equal parts.

Even split

Highlights the fairness of the division.

50/50 split

A numerical representation of the equal division.

Fifty percent each

Specifies the percentage each party receives.

Equally divided

Emphasizes the act of dividing something equally.

Evenly distributed

Highlights the uniform distribution of resources.

Shared equally

Focuses on the sharing aspect with equal terms.

Equal probability

Used when referring to chances or odds.

Fifty percent chance

Expresses the likelihood of an event occurring.

FAQs

How to use "fifty-fifty" in a sentence?

You can use "fifty-fifty" to describe an equal division or probability. For example, "We agreed on a "fifty-fifty split" of the profits" or "The chances of winning are "fifty-fifty"".

What can I say instead of "fifty-fifty"?

You can use alternatives like "equal shares", "half and half", or an "even split" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "fifty-fifty" or "50/50"?

"Fifty-fifty" and "50/50" are both correct and interchangeable. The choice depends on your preferred style and the formality of the context.

What's the difference between "fifty-fifty" and "equal"?

"Fifty-fifty" specifically implies a division into two equal parts or an equal probability between two outcomes. "Equal" is a broader term that can apply to more than two parts or outcomes. For instance, you can have an "equal distribution" among three parties, but "fifty-fifty" would not be appropriate.