greater than half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greater than half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing quantities, proportions, or comparisons that exceed fifty percent of a whole. Example: "In the survey, greater than half of the participants expressed a preference for the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He added that one manufacturer was "spending a sum greater than half its total annual dividend.

The Guardian - Sport

Norovirus infections occur frequently and are widespread throughout the US population causing greater than half of all foodborne gastroenteritis cases.

Journal of Clinical Virology

The experiments indicate that the reconstruction at the source becomes erratic when standoff distances greater than half of the minimum wavelength under consideration are used.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Urban myth has it at greater than half… true?

Forbes

The minimum distance to network stations should be greater than half of the characteristic distance.

Earth, Planets and Space

Bilirubin levels dropped by greater than half and have stayed there for 6 months so far.

Science Magazine

The contour for each asperity encloses the area in which the slip is greater than half of the maximum slip.

Earth, Planets and Space

The majority of the respondents were illiterate, 448 (56.9 %), and greater than half, 407 (51.6 %), of the study participants were pastoralists by livelihood.

Pastoralism

Ultimately, we found that this model was limited by mortality of greater than half of the animals by 7 days, which was unacceptable.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

In order to be eligible for LRAP you must be working greater than half-time as defined by your employer.

University of California, Berkeley

Qualifying employment is defined as greater than half-time work for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or an agency of government in law-related employment.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity is paramount, quantify "greater than half" with specific percentages or fractions. For example, instead of saying "greater than half of the budget", specify "more than 60% of the budget".

Common error

Don't use "greater than half" when a more precise measurement is available. For instance, avoid saying "greater than half of the patients improved" when you know the exact percentage (e.g., "65% of the patients improved").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greater than half" functions as a quantifier, specifying that a quantity exceeds 50% of a whole. It acts as a determiner when modifying a noun phrase, as seen in Ludwig's examples. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

16%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "greater than half" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote that a quantity exceeds 50%. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase appears across various domains, from scientific publications to news articles and academic texts. While considered neutral in register, its usage leans more heavily towards scientific contexts. Alternatives such as "more than half" or "over half" can be used for simpler phrasing. Remember to specify exact percentages when precision is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than half

Uses "more" instead of "greater", offering a simpler alternative.

over half

Replaces "greater than" with "over", indicating a quantity exceeding 50%.

exceeding half

Replaces "greater than" with "exceeding", formal way to express that some quantity is above 50%.

more than 50 percent

More precise and uses the numerical value explicitly.

majority

Indicates that more than 50% of a group or set is being referred to, implying a dominant portion.

above 50%

A shorter, more concise way to say "greater than half", primarily numerical.

larger part

Emphasizes that the portion is bigger than 50% in terms of size. Using "part" instead of explicitly quantifying the amount.

a significant portion

Highlights importance of the amount exceeding half. Indicates the proportion is substantial and noteworthy.

a good percentage

Indicates a notable amount above half, without specifying the exact quantity. Using "percentage" instead of explicitly mentioning 50%.

substantial fraction

Implies a noteworthy portion exceeding half, particularly within a total amount. Using "fraction" in place of "percentage"

FAQs

What does "greater than half" mean?

The phrase "greater than half" means more than 50% of a total amount. It indicates a quantity or proportion exceeding half of the whole.

What can I say instead of "greater than half"?

You can use alternatives like "more than half", "over half", or "majority" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "greater than half"?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "greater than half" is a grammatically sound and widely accepted way to express that a quantity is more than 50% of the total.

When should I use "greater than half" versus a specific percentage?

Use "greater than half" when you want to indicate that a quantity exceeds 50% without needing to provide an exact figure. If the precise percentage is known and relevant, it's generally better to use the specific number for clarity.