fractionally above half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fractionally above half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that is slightly more than 50% of a whole. Example: "The survey results showed that the approval rating was fractionally above half, indicating a slight majority in favor of the proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nevertheless, Mr. Gould said that Bloomingdale's -- at least until the northeaster hits -- is running "fractionally above plan".

The New York Times

The median response — with half above, half below — was 5percentt, also high.

The New York Times

The least emotionally aware countries averaged just above half that.

Forbes

What if they count as middle income now only because they have huge numbers of people living fractionally above the poverty line?

The Economist

Strip out that sector, and only 16percentt of privately employed hourly workers took home at least $20 an hour, just fractionally above the 2000 level.

The New York Times

The 46 all out is fractionally above puberty, being dumped for the first time and discovering Hold On by Wilson Phillips on the list of formative experiences.

The Guardian - Sport

As he did so, Sione Kaamafoni joined in, Waldrom's legs rose fractionally above the horizontal and Kvesic, as a result, saw instant yellow.

The Guardian - Sport

The effect on the emissions outlook is dramatic, producing a peak atmospheric CO2 concentration in 2070 of just 460ppm (parts per million) - fractionally above the 450ppm that many scientists believe is the threshold for runaway climate change, and lower than even the most optimistic of the 40 climate scenarios by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The Guardian

GSK said the discounted price is only fractionally above the cost of production.

BBC

The blades should be set fractionally above the outfeed table.

WikiHow

The above half-discrete inequalities are some refinements of (37 - 40 37 - 40

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fractionally above half" when precision is not critical, but you want to convey a quantity that is slightly more than 50% without stating the exact percentage.

Common error

Avoid using "fractionally above half" when the quantity significantly exceeds 50%. This phrase suggests a very small margin; using it for larger differences would be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fractionally above half" functions as an adverbial modifier describing a quantity or proportion that is slightly more than 50%. It indicates a marginal increase over the halfway point, as demonstrated by the examples analyzed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fractionally above half" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe something that is slightly more than 50%. As Ludwig AI indicates, its purpose is to convey a general sense of a small majority or an amount marginally exceeding the halfway mark, not a precise measurement. The phrase has neutral register, and is usable, but not particularly frequent, across various writing contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the actual quantity aligns with the implied small difference to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly more than half

Emphasizes a small degree of exceeding half.

just over half

Highlights the minimal nature of the amount exceeding half.

a little above half

Uses 'a little' to signify the small increment above half.

marginally above 50%

Replaces 'half' with the numerical percentage and uses 'marginally' for emphasis.

fractionally greater than 50%

Uses 'greater than' for a more direct comparison to 50%.

a shade above half

Uses 'shade' metaphorically to indicate a slight difference.

barely over half

Indicates that the amount is only just past the halfway point.

a hair's breadth above half

Emphasizes the minimal difference above half using a figurative measurement.

scarcely above half

Highlights how little the quantity exceeds half.

only just above half

Draws attention to the slightness of the excess over half.

FAQs

How can I use "fractionally above half" in a sentence?

You can use "fractionally above half" to describe quantities or proportions that are slightly more than 50%. For example, "The survey results showed that the approval rating was fractionally above half, indicating a slight majority in favor of the proposal."

What are some alternatives to "fractionally above half"?

Alternatives include "slightly more than half", "just over half", or "a little above half". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "fractionally above half" or "slightly above 50%"?

Both phrases are similar in meaning, but "slightly above 50%" is more precise. "Fractionally above half" implies a very small difference without specifying the exact percentage, whereas "slightly above 50%" directly references the numerical value.

When is it appropriate to use "fractionally above half" versus a more specific percentage?

Use "fractionally above half" when the exact percentage is unknown or not particularly important, and you want to convey a general sense of a small majority. If precision is necessary, use a more specific percentage or a phrase like "marginally above 50%".