first half of the cycle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first half of the cycle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the initial portion or segment of a cyclical process or event. Example: "During the first half of the cycle, we observed significant changes in temperature and humidity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

For example, a recent study found more benefit from high-intensity and resistance training in the first half of the cycle compared with the second.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The optimism and enthusiasm of the first half of the cycle leads us, almost literally, along the garden path: of the first 13 songs only one, Am Feierabend, is essentially in a minor key.

The Guardian - Music

We characterize solutions and give synchronization conditions using the phase response curve (PRC) as the design element, which is restricted to be of the delay type in the first half of the cycle, interval (0,π), and of the advance type in the second half of the cycle, interval (π,2π).

Systems & Control Letters

Unfortunately, Lamb only experienced the first half of the cycle.

Forbes

Skin lesions are less florid, or skin is cleared during the first half of the cycle.

BioMed Research International

Before application (Control), neuronal activity was modulated by tilts, with the maximum in the first half of the cycle.

European Journal of Neuroscience

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

These changes were accompanied by the significant upregulation of genes on this second half of the cycle such as citrate synthase (CSY3), malate dehydrogenase (PMDH2) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH2-2), pointong to a coordinated activity of genes and metabolites.

Bioinformatics

More than 60% of FT bursts began in the first half of the TA cycle in 10 of 17 experiments, and a bias for the latter half of the cycle was found in only 4 experiments.

Plosone

Accordingly, intermediates of the first half of the TCA cycle are deviated for the phenylpropanoid pathway reducing flux through the TCA cycle (Kusano et al. 2011) suggesting the operation of a modular TCA cycle in response to UV-B.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Around midnight, the accumulation of a few organic acids in the first half of the TCA cycle (metabolic module M10) was observed, suggesting the activation of the TCA cycle.

BMC Systems Biology

Our data additionally demonstrated that UV-B stress leads to significant reductions in the expression of genes from the second half of the TCA cycle, such as fumarase and MDH simultaneously to increments on transcripts level of genes from the first half of the TCA cycle in shoot tissue (fig. 7 A).

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing cyclical processes, use "first half of the cycle" to clearly delineate the initial phase, especially when comparing it to later stages. Ensure the context makes it clear what cycle you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "first half of the cycle" without specifying which cycle you're referring to. Always provide context to prevent ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "improvements were noted in the first half of the cycle", specify which cycle: "improvements were noted in the first half of the business cycle".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first half of the cycle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It identifies a specific segment within a recurring process, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples. Its purpose is to delineate the initial stage of that cycle.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "first half of the cycle" is a noun phrase used to describe the initial portion of a recurring process. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use across various contexts, particularly in scientific and news reporting, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure you specify which cycle you're referring to for clarity. Consider alternatives like "initial phase of the cycle" or "early stage of the cycle" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial phase of the cycle

Replaces "first half" with "initial phase", emphasizing the starting point.

early stage of the cycle

Substitutes "first half" with "early stage", highlighting the temporal aspect of the beginning.

beginning portion of the cycle

Replaces "first half" with "beginning portion", offering a more descriptive alternative.

first segment of the cycle

Uses "first segment" instead of "first half", focusing on a distinct part.

opening section of the cycle

Replaces "first half" with "opening section", emphasizing the initial part.

initial part of the cycle

Simple substitution of "first half" with "initial part".

commencement of the cycle

Uses a more formal word, "commencement", for the start.

start of the cycle

Directly replaces "first half" with "start", a simple alternative.

primary stage of the cycle

Replaces "first half" with "primary stage", suggesting the importance of the initial phase.

introductory phase of the cycle

Replaces "first half" with "introductory phase", which indicates the initial exploratory point.

FAQs

How can I use "first half of the cycle" in a sentence?

You can use "first half of the cycle" to describe the initial stage of a recurring process. For example: "During the "first half of the cycle", estrogen levels rise."

What are some alternatives to "first half of the cycle"?

Some alternatives include "initial phase of the cycle", "early stage of the cycle", or "beginning portion of the cycle". Consider the specific nuance you want to convey when choosing an alternative.

Is it always necessary to specify the type of cycle when using "first half of the cycle"?

Yes, specifying the type of cycle provides clarity and avoids ambiguity. For instance, "first half of the menstrual cycle" is more specific than simply ""first half of the cycle"".

What is the difference between "first half of the cycle" and "second half of the cycle"?

The ""first half of the cycle"" refers to the initial part of a process, while the "second half of the cycle" refers to the latter part. They are used to differentiate between stages within a cyclical process.