half a basketball

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half a basketball" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a portion or a piece of a basketball, often in a metaphorical or illustrative context. Example: "The artist used half a basketball as a base for her sculpture, creating a unique and eye-catching piece."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The haul of unmentionables takes up the space of half a basketball court when laid out together.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It took Tracy McGrady just a few purposeful steps to earn an ovation, a few minutes to find his balance and one half of a basketball game to win the unadulterated adulation of a star-hungry fan base.

The New York Times - Sports

Vandeweghe, who spent the past year and a half as a basketball analyst for ESPN, will assist Thorn at least through the draft, although Thorn said Monday, "Hopefully, it will evolve into a longer period of time".

The New York Times - Sports

As a 1950s graduate of a women's college, I have always wondered why women attending the sister schools could, even in the late 1880s, play full-field field hockey and, just a bit later on, play full-field lacrosse, yet not run a few miles or take more than two dribbles on half of a basketball court.

The New York Times - Sports

Stand at the half court of a basketball court with the ball in your hands.

WikiHow

I watched him run half-heartedly down a basketball court and cheer for his teammates every single time they scored.

Huffington Post

WHAT TO DO There is a park next to the village hall, on Superior Road, with two tennis courts, a half basketball court and a playground.

The New York Times

Marv Kessler, a product of Brooklyn's schoolyards who spent more than half a century in basketball as a player, a coach, a scout and, most prominently, a camp instructor who molded young athletes like Patrick Ewing and Stephon Marbury, died on Wednesday in Manhattan.

The New York Times - Sports

For the first time in its half a century of basketball, Irvine has had four consecutive 20-win seasons, including a school-record 28-win campaign last season.

Los Angeles Times

On the same evening, Joe's daughter, Abigayle (Aja Naomi King), who believes that her father is away on a business trip, meets Dexter (E. J. Bonilla), a cocky half-white, half-Latino youth at a basketball court.

The New York Times

There is a tennis court and a half basketball court, plus they can arrange for one-on-one personal training and spa services in the privacy of your bungalow with the rolling surf as a soundtrack.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half a basketball" in a comparison, ensure the context clearly establishes the relative size or amount being described. For instance, "The storage space was about half a basketball court in area."

Common error

Avoid using "half a basketball" when a more precise measurement is needed. While useful for estimations, it lacks the accuracy required in technical or scientific contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half a basketball" primarily functions as a noun phrase used as a unit of measurement or comparison. It is used to provide a relatable reference point for size or volume. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is considered correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "half a basketball" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for making intuitive size comparisons. While deemed correct by Ludwig AI, it is best suited for informal contexts where precise measurements are not essential. The phrase effectively communicates a relative size using a readily visualized object, making it useful in news articles, general descriptions, and casual conversations. For formal or technical writing, more specific measurements are advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

half of a basketball's size

Focuses on the size aspect of half a basketball.

one half of a basketball

Emphasizes the fractional quantity of a basketball.

a basketball split in half

Highlights the action of dividing a basketball.

half the volume of a basketball

Specifically refers to the volume occupied by half a basketball.

a basketball cut in two

Describes the physical division of the basketball.

portion of a basketball

Generalizes to any part of a basketball, not necessarily half.

segment of a basketball

Similar to 'portion' but implies a distinct section.

part of a basketball

A broader term for any piece of a basketball.

a basketball fragment

Implies a broken or damaged part of a basketball.

section of a basketball

Refers to a specific area of the basketball.

FAQs

How can I use "half a basketball" in a sentence?

You can use "half a basketball" to describe sizes or volumes, as in "The object was about "half a basketball" in size" or "The amount of material needed was roughly "half a basketball"'s worth".

What can I say instead of "half a basketball"?

You can use alternatives like "half of a basketball's size", "one half of a basketball", or "a basketball split in half" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "half a basketball" in formal writing?

While "half a basketball" is easily understood, it's more appropriate for informal or descriptive writing. For formal writing, consider using more precise measurements or comparisons.

In what situations is "half a basketball" most useful?

"Half a basketball" is most useful in situations where an approximate size or volume comparison is needed, particularly when communicating with a general audience that can easily visualize the reference object.