half a portion

USAGE SUMMARY

"half a portion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when describing a specific amount of food or a serving size. For example: - "The recipe calls for half a portion of butter, but I usually use a full portion for extra flavor." - "I was still hungry after eating only half a portion of pasta, so I asked for a second helping." - "The restaurant offers half portions for those with smaller appetites, but the full portion is more than enough for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Despite the crowds, half a portion of chicken with a choice of salad or french fries, bottomless bread and a variety of sauces is usually served surprisingly fast.

The Guardian - Travel

As someone who's half English and half American, I normally eat half a turkey on Thanksgiving, with a side of half a fish with half a portion of chips that have all been cut in half lengthways.

The New Yorker

The amount of cooking oil was estimated according to the method of preparing different foods: 0.2 tablespoon for steaming fish or stir frying half a portion of meat.

Plosone

The estimated relative risk for an increase in total meat consumption of 50 g day−1 (approximately half a portion) was 1.12 (95% CI: 1.02 1.23, Ptrend=0.02).

British Journal of Cancer

We specified a minimum difference in fruit and vegetable consumption of 50 g or half a portion per day between arms.

BMC Public Health

For healthy eating, this was equivalent to intervention groups eating just under half a portion of fruit and vegetables more than controls each day.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Edwards was particularly impressive when the power was out for a large chunk of the first half and a portion of the second.

The New York Times - Sports

The size of effect the study is powered to detect (one half of a portion of fruit/vegetable) was chosen because it was considered the smallest improvement in intake that was worthwhile detecting with an achievable sized sample, and considering the nature of the intervention.

BMC Health Services Research

(Have the "yin/yang" option--a half portion of each soup serve together in the same bowl).

Huffington Post

For a first course, a half portion of pasta served nicely, but a few appetizers were noteworthy as well.

The New York Times

An entree of flat maltagliati pasta (the name means badly cut) with meaty Bolognese sauce was hearty and homey (a half portion as an appetizer can be arranged).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "half a portion" when you need to specify that you are referring to exactly 50% of the standard serving size.

Common error

Avoid using "half a portion" interchangeably with vague terms like "some of" or "part of" when a more precise quantity is intended. "Half a portion" indicates a clear division, while other phrases suggest an indefinite amount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half a portion" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It specifies a particular quantity of food or another item, indicating it is exactly 50% of the standard serving size. Ludwig examples confirm this function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "half a portion" is a grammatically sound noun phrase indicating exactly 50% of a standard serving or quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in various contexts, although more common in news, science, and informal settings. Its primary function is to specify a precise amount, and is generally considered neutral in register. When writing, use "half a portion" to communicate that you mean exactly half of a standard amount, rather than a vague "small amount".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a halved portion

Highlights the action of dividing a portion in two.

a smaller serving

Highlights the reduced size of the serving.

a reduced serving

Focuses on the act of reducing the amount served.

a modest helping

Implies a small and moderate amount.

part of a serving

Indicates an unspecified amount of a serving.

a fraction of the quantity

Emphasizes the fractional aspect of the amount.

a 50% serving

Expresses the portion as a percentage.

a split serving

Suggests the serving is divided for sharing.

a sample size

Suggests a very small amount for tasting or testing.

a taste

Indicates a very small amount for sampling.

FAQs

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

You can use "half a portion" to describe the amount of food, like "I ordered "half a portion" of fries to avoid overeating" or "The recipe calls for "half a portion" of the sauce per person".

What is a more formal way to say "half a portion"?

In a formal setting, you might use phrases like "a reduced serving" or "50% of the standard serving size" instead of "half a portion". These alternatives offer a more precise and less colloquial tone.

Is it better to order "half a portion" or "a small portion"?

Ordering ""half a portion"" implies you want exactly 50% of the standard serving. Asking for "a small portion" leaves the quantity open to interpretation, potentially resulting in a serving size different from what you expect.

What's the difference between "half a portion" and "half serving"?

"Half a portion" and "half serving" are essentially synonymous. Both terms indicate that you are requesting 50% of the standard serving size of a dish.