for about half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for about half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when estimating a quantity or duration that is approximately fifty percent of a whole. Example: "The project took for about half the time we initially expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bake for about half an hour until completely crisp.

Independent

English is the second language for about half.

The New York Times

Leave to stand for about half an hour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Or Del Mar for about half as much.

TechCrunch

Bake the wings at 350 for about half an hour.

WikiHow

Leave it to dry completely for about half an hour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By 2003 they accounted for about half.

The New York Times

We have guest speakers for about half of the classes.

Stanford University

He has done so for about half a century now.

The New York Times

The government generally pays for about half of all vaccinations.

The New York Times - Health

Previously, design issues accounted for about half of the survey.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when choosing between "for about half" and more formal alternatives like "approximately half". For academic or business writing, the latter might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "for about half" when a precise figure is available. If the exact percentage is known, use it for clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for about half" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or noun by indicating an approximation of quantity or duration. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a grammatically correct expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

24%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "for about half" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that something is approximately 50% of a whole. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's important to consider the context and audience when deciding whether to use it, as more formal alternatives may be preferable in certain situations. The phrase is versatile, appearing in various contexts, most frequently in news and media. When precision is key, providing the exact value is advisable. However, when an approximation is sufficient, "for about half" effectively communicates the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately half

Uses "approximately" for a more formal tone when specifying a near 50% quantity.

roughly half

Employs "roughly" to convey a sense of estimation and imprecision around the 50% mark.

around half

Substitutes "about" with "around", maintaining the meaning of approximation to 50%.

nearly half

Suggests a quantity that is slightly less than 50%, close to the halfway point.

close to half

Expresses a value nearing 50%, focusing on the proximity to the midpoint.

in the vicinity of half

A more descriptive and formal way to suggest a quantity near 50%.

in the neighborhood of half

Similar to "in the vicinity of half", but slightly more informal.

something like half

Uses "something like" to indicate an estimate, maintaining the 'half' proportion.

half or so

Postposes "or so" to emphasize the approximate nature of the "half" quantity.

fifty percent give or take

Replaces "for about half" with a percentage and adds "give or take" to indicate variability.

FAQs

What does "for about half" mean?

The expression "for about half" means approximately 50% of a whole or total. It suggests an estimate rather than a precise measurement.

What are some alternatives to "for about half"?

You can use alternatives such as "approximately half", "roughly half", or "nearly half" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it okay to use "for about half" in formal writing?

While acceptable, "for about half" is more informal. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "approximately half" or "nearly half".

How can I use "for about half" in a sentence?

You can use "for about half" to describe quantities or durations. For example, "The meeting lasted for about half an hour", or "For about half of the students, English is their second language."