got halfway through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got halfway through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has completed a portion of a task or activity but has not finished it entirely. Example: "I started reading the book last night and got halfway through before I fell asleep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The train got halfway through the tunnel.

The Guardian - Opinion

They got halfway through Beethoven's Fifth, trying to play her off.

The New York Times

Mr. Dohnanyi got halfway through performing the cycle with the orchestra and recording it for Decca.

The New York Times - Arts

But I got halfway through my speech before the registrar nervously interrupted me.

The Guardian

Got halfway through an article before noticing that something isn't quite right.

The Guardian

He got halfway through the first verse and then stopped and mumbled an apology.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

When he speaks, he often gets halfway through a sentence, stops, and says, "O.K".

The New Yorker

When he speaks, he often gets halfway through a sentence, stops, and says, "O.K". ending his thought right there.

The New Yorker

She opens her bedroom door, gets halfway through it, seems to want to run inside and slam it shut.

The New York Times

I'd repeatedly go over the opening paragraphs of the same story, get halfway through an article and realise I'd forgotten what it was about.

Independent

By the time I had gotten halfway through "The Return of the Native," I was told that I would now be sharing the room.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got halfway through" to indicate the partial completion of a task or process, especially when you want to emphasize the progress made so far. For example, "I got halfway through the report before I had to leave."

Common error

Avoid using "got halfway through" when the action was fully completed. This phrase is specifically for actions that were interrupted or not finished entirely. If you finished, say "completed" or "finished completely".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got halfway through" functions as a verb phrase indicating partial completion of an action or process. It often sets the stage for describing an interruption or change of course, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got halfway through" is a versatile verb phrase used to express the partial completion of an action, typically found in neutral contexts like news and media. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. Alternative phrases, such as "reached the midpoint" or "made it halfway", can be used to add nuance. Remember to use this phrase when an action was indeed interrupted or unfinished, and avoid adding unnecessary words like 'with'. By adhering to these guidelines, you can use "got halfway through" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost halfway through

Very similar to "nearly halfway", indicating proximity to the halfway point.

reached the midpoint

Indicates reaching the exact middle point of something, often used in a literal sense.

progressed halfway

Focuses on the advancement made, emphasizing the progress aspect of reaching the middle.

made it halfway

Highlights the achievement of reaching the middle point, suggesting overcoming some challenge.

completed half

Directly states that 50% of something has been done, emphasizing the completed portion.

advanced to the middle

Emphasizes forward movement to the central point, suitable for describing gradual processes.

halfway completed

Passive voice construction stressing the state of being partially finished.

partially finished

General term indicating that something is not fully completed, less specific about reaching the middle.

nearly halfway

Indicates being close to the midpoint but not quite there yet.

advanced approximately 50 percent

Uses a percentage to quantify the progress, suitable for technical or precise contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "got halfway through" in a sentence?

You can use "got halfway through" to describe being interrupted or stopping before completing a task. For instance, "I "got halfway through" the book before falling asleep."

What are some alternatives to "got halfway through"?

Alternatives include "reached the midpoint", "made it halfway", or "completed half", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "got halfway through with"?

While understandable, adding "with" is usually redundant. It's generally better to say ""got halfway through"" directly followed by the object of the action.

What's the difference between "got halfway through" and "almost finished"?

"Got halfway through" implies a 50% completion rate, whereas "almost finished" suggests a higher degree of completion, nearing 100%.