half a kilo

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'half a kilo' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to an amount of something that is measured out in kilograms, such as food or other materials. For example, "I need to buy half a kilo of sugar for this recipe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

This has resulted in a fall in the weight of a typical seat's cushioning from 1.8kg a decade ago to less than half a kilo now, according to Aviointeriors.

The Economist

"It weighs half a kilo".

The New Yorker

"I will buy one kilo of beef and half a kilo of sugar".

The Guardian

The bladder of a mature fish weighs about half a kilo.

The Guardian

For $15 or so you should be able to buy half a kilo, about a pound.

The New York Times - Food

Individual sweets cost from 30p, or £4-£5 for half a kilo.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"I'm an ambulant thrower, so I'm just the same as able-bodied," said Davies, who was born with talipese and hemi-hemilia of the right leg. "I have pretty much the same technique, apart from I have a straight leg and I wear the brace, which is allowed, so I'll just have to throw able-bodied competition weight which is half-a-kilo heavier.

BBC

Take for example, the sardines that used to cost about a dollar for a half of a kilo when in season, now would cost about five dollars just for one kilo.

Huffington Post

He was very tempted to pick 19-year-old Kyle Edmund, who has put on half a dozen kilos of muscle since Wimbledon and impressed Murray when he tackled the same drills during a three-week training stint in Miami.

BBC

He once ate a four and a half kilo, 55 cm pizza, on another show he consumed a five and a half kilo burger, and at one place he had to eat 180 oysters.

Independent

"A single portion is a half kilo and with the shortage and price hike we weren't willing to ask our customers to pay the 72% increase.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing recipes or scientific articles, consistently use metric units (grams or kilograms) for clarity. Using "half a kilo" can be more conversational but ensure it aligns with the overall tone.

Common error

Avoid mixing metric and imperial units within the same context. For example, don't say "half a kilo" and then give another measurement in ounces; choose one system and stick to it to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half a kilo" functions as a noun phrase specifying a quantity or measurement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, serving to quantify items, ingredients, or weights.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "half a kilo" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to denote a quantity equivalent to 500 grams or approximately 1.1 pounds. Ludwig AI confirms that it is employed across a wide range of contexts, primarily in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science, serving the purpose of specifying amounts or quantities. When writing, it is important to maintain consistency in unit usage, sticking to either metric or imperial units to avoid confusion. Consider alternatives such as "500 grams" or "point five kilograms" depending on your desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

500 grams

Expresses the same quantity using grams instead of kilos.

zero point five kilograms

Formal and precise way to state the quantity.

500g

Abbreviated form using the metric symbol.

point five kilograms

Shortened version of zero point five kilograms.

one half kilogram

Formal phrasing using "one half".

a pound and an ounce

Approximate equivalent in imperial units.

approximately 1.1 pounds

More accurate conversion to pounds.

kilo's half

Reversed phrasing maintaining the same meaning.

a portion of 500 grams

Expresses "half a kilo" as a quantity of the ingredient.

around 500 grams

Provides an approximate figure.

FAQs

What is the weight of "half a kilo" in pounds?

"Half a kilo" is approximately equivalent to 1.1 pounds. For more precise conversions, you can use an online converter.

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

You can use alternatives like "500 grams" or "point five kilograms" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a half kilo" instead of "half a kilo"?

While understandable, "half a kilo" is the more common and grammatically preferred phrasing. "A half kilo" is less idiomatic and might sound slightly awkward.

How do I abbreviate "half a kilo" in writing?

You can abbreviate "half a kilo" as "500g", which stands for 500 grams.