first half of december

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first half of December" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the period from December 1st to December 15th, typically when discussing events, deadlines, or schedules. Example: "We plan to launch the new product in the first half of December to maximize holiday sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The next round of cancellations are expected to claim games through the first half of December.

The New York Times

He confirmed that an unmanned lunar mission, Chang'e 3, will be launched in the first half of December.

The Economist

Nothing!! Nothiiiiiiiing!!" The first half of December is when the Christmas season is at its most enjoyable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another 161 urgent life- or limb-saving operations were cancelled in the first half of December, up from 138 last year.

Independent

Cyberian Outpost Inc. said last week that sales climbed at least 60percentt during the first half of December from a year earlier.

The New York Times

Despite a boost in traffic from WikiLeaks US embassy cables content in the first half of December, the theguardian.com network saw a slight overall fall for the month.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The survey covers October and the first half of November.

The New York Times

And the first half of July has brought 240 calls.

The New York Times

In the first half of October, he raised just $36 million.

The New York Times

Moviefone said sales in the first half of July were up 10percentt over the first half of June.

The New York Times

The first half of March was a perfect time to get some nitrogen on the wheat.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events or deadlines, be specific about whether you mean the "first half of december" to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "before December 15th" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone interprets "first half of december" the same way. Some might consider it strictly the first 15 days, while others may perceive it more loosely. Always clarify if the distinction matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first half of december" functions as a temporal adverbial phrase, specifying when an event or action takes place. It modifies a verb or clause by providing a timeframe, as seen in the Ludwig examples concerning scheduled events or economic activity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first half of december" is a common and grammatically correct temporal phrase used to specify a timeframe within the month of December. According to Ludwig, it's most frequently found in News & Media sources, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While generally understood, clarity is key to avoid ambiguity in scheduling or deadlines. Alternatives like "early december" or "beginning of december" can offer similar meaning, but "first half of december" provides a more precise reference to the initial 15 days. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is indeed correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

early december

This alternative provides a more concise way to refer to the beginning of December.

beginning of december

This phrase is a straightforward synonym, directly indicating the start of the month.

first two weeks of december

This alternative is more explicit, specifying the duration within December.

start of the december

Using "start of the December" instead of "first half" emphasizes the initial days.

opening days of december

This option offers a slightly more literary or descriptive way to refer to the initial part of December.

initial weeks of december

Replacing "first half" with "initial weeks" focuses on the weeks rather than the half-month.

before mid-december

This phrase indicates a time before the middle of December, synonymous with the first half.

prior to december 15th

This alternative gives a specific date as a cutoff, implying the period leading up to it.

early part of december

Substituting "early part" for "first half" provides a more general reference to the beginning of the month.

december's first days

Focuses specifically on the earliest days of the month.

FAQs

What is another way to say "first half of december"?

Alternatives include "early december", "beginning of december", or "first two weeks of december".

How do I use "first half of december" in a sentence?

Example: "The project deadline is set for the "first half of december" to ensure completion before the holiday break."

Is it more formal to say "first half of december" or "early december"?

"First half of december" is slightly more precise and can be considered more formal, while "early december" is generally suitable for most contexts.

What is the difference between "first half of december" and "early december"?

While both refer to the beginning of December, "first half of december" typically implies the first 15 days, whereas "early december" can be a more general reference to the initial part of the month without a strict cutoff.