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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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first half clock

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first half clock" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to the first half of a game or event, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "During the first half clock, the team scored three goals."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Chiefs were so dazed that they just stood by the line of scrimmage as the first-half clock expired.

As the first-half clock ticked down, it seemed the Redskins would head into the break with a shutout.

Twilight had turned to darkness at windswept Lambeau Field when three Giants and four Packers converged on the left side of the end zone as the first-half clock clicked toward zero.

He let the first-half clock wind down to :01 against San Diego, called a timeout, and let Sebastian Janikowski attempt a 76-yard field goal.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

On their two other possessions, the Indians threw an interception on the first play of a drive and had the first-half clock run out.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

Sep. 23, 2018, 2 40 p.m. Sam Ficken was wide right on a 46-yard field-goal attempt as the first-half clock ran out, preventing the Rams from extending their 21-13 lead over the Chargers in the Coliseum.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

We were able to run the ball efficiently and keep their offense off the field". The Oilers chewed up a big chunk of the first-half clock by piecing together a long scoring drive that covered 97 yards.

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

Twice in the first half the clock continued to run when it shouldn't have, causing the Browns to run out of time on a drive.

News & Media

Huffington Post

The turning point came at the end of the first half, when the clock ran out but the officials ruled Cincinnati had called timeout with one second left.

Gavin Henson was met with boos usually reserved for pantomime villains after he replaced the injured Kyle Eastmond in the final minute of the first half as the clock ticked down on a dismal opening 40 minutes.

News & Media

Independent

The hardware architecture of soft demapper is designed such that they are consisted of two functional parts, as illustrated in Figure 2. First half block, during clock delay intervals 1 to 5, is designated for calculating exact soft-bit values, and the other half, at delay 6, is specialized for effective 3-bit extraction process.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To clearly refer to the timing of events in a game's first segment, use phrases like "first half" or "first period" followed by specific time references or event descriptions. For example, "The team scored twice during the first half."

Common error

Do not combine "first half" directly with "clock" as it creates an unnatural and unclear expression. Instead, use more common and understandable terms to describe the time period.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first half clock" attempts to combine a time division ("first half") with a timekeeping device ("clock"), but it does not form a standard or grammatically sound construction. Ludwig AI identifies this as non-idiomatic.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "first half clock" is grammatically questionable and lacks a clear, established meaning in English. As Ludwig AI confirms, this combination is not idiomatic. It's better to use simpler and clearer terms like "first half", "first period", or rephrase your sentence to refer to specific times or events within the first half. By choosing clearer phrasing, you enhance understanding and avoid awkward expressions.

FAQs

What does "first half" refer to?

The "first half" refers to the initial period of a game or event, typically representing about half of the total playing time.

What is a better way to say "first half clock"?

Instead of "first half clock", you could say "first half" or "first period" depending on the sport or event. If you're referring to a specific time, be more direct (e.g., "10 minutes into the first half").

Is "first half clock" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "first half clock" is not grammatically correct. It's better to use just "first half" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Which is correct, "first half" or "second half"?

"First half" and "second half" are both correct when referring to the two main periods of a game or event. They are used to differentiate the initial and later stages of play.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

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