half a mile

USAGE SUMMARY

"half a mile" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a distance. Example: I walked half a mile to the store.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Pieces were scattered across half a mile.

The New York Times

The screen is half a mile away;.

The New Yorker

(In New York, it's half a mile).

The New Yorker

Half a mile to the park, the six-mile loop, and half a mile back.

The New York Times

You'd hear it half a mile away".

The New Yorker

Shopping, schools and all amenities are within half a mile.

The New York Times

"You could've heard it half a mile away," he said.

The New York Times

Half a mile down the road, there's a petrol station.

The New Yorker

Our closest neighbors are a half a mile away.

The New York Times

The slinky contained half a mile of metal.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Bank A.T.M.'s are not replenishing cash and there are queues of half a-mile.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing distances, especially in writing for a diverse audience, consider providing both miles and kilometers for clarity.

Common error

Avoid switching between miles and other units of measurement (feet, yards) within the same context unless there's a clear reason to do so. Maintain consistency for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half a mile" functions primarily as an adverbial of distance, modifying verbs to indicate how far something is. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing the separation between places, the length of routes, and the range of sensory perception. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase being correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

8%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "half a mile" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for describing distance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, it offers a neutral and quantifiable measure. For greater clarity, especially with diverse audiences, consider providing metric equivalents. While generally versatile, maintain consistency in measurement units within your writing. Remember, Ludwig's examples illustrate its widespread applicability across various contexts, solidifying its status as a reliable and understood measure of distance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

800 meters

Expresses the same distance using the metric system.

About 0.8 kilometers

Expresses the distance in kilometers, a metric unit.

Point five miles

Uses a decimal representation of the distance.

A bit less than a kilometer

Provides an approximate distance in kilometers.

Approximately 2640 feet

Converts the distance into feet for a more precise measurement.

In close proximity

Formal way of indicating a nearby location.

A short distance away

Describes a nearby location without specifying an exact measurement.

A stone's throw away

An idiomatic expression for a short distance.

Within walking distance

Indicates that a location can be reached by walking, implying a relatively short distance.

Just around the corner

Indicates a very close proximity, often used for convenience stores or immediate neighbors.

FAQs

How do I use "half a mile" in a sentence?

Use "half a mile" to describe a distance. For example, "The store is "half a mile" from my house" or "I ran "half a mile" this morning".

What is the metric equivalent of "half a mile"?

"Half a mile" is approximately equal to 800 meters or 0.8 kilometers. You can use either measurement depending on your audience and context.

Are there any informal ways to express "half a mile"?

Informally, you might say something is "just around the corner" or "a stone's throw away", but these don't provide precise distance measurements.

What's the difference between saying ""half a mile"" and "0.5 miles"?

There is no practical difference. Both refer to the same distance. "Half a mile" is more conversational, while "0.5 miles" is more technical.