half a pound

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half a pound" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a weight measurement, typically in cooking or when discussing quantities of items. Example: "I need half a pound of flour for this recipe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Technology

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Add half a pound of crumbled hamburger.

The New Yorker

We eat half a pound of prosciutto.

The New Yorker

A serving is half a pound.

The New York Times - Food

But I lose little more than half a pound.

The Guardian - Travel

Local honey at $4 for half a pound.

The New York Times

"My bill was probably half a pound," he said.

The New York Times

I'm 15-and-a-bit [just half a pound over].

The Guardian - Sport

Half a pound stirred into the pasta and half a pound sprinkled on top is about right.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Can you sell half the company just at a buck and a half — a Euro — a pound and half?

The New York Times

Donations stood at half a billion pounds.

The Guardian

At nine under, Lee Westwood is second (half a million pounds).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying quantities in recipes or instructions, use "half a pound" to provide a clear and easily understandable measurement for those familiar with the imperial system. For international audiences or scientific contexts, also include the metric equivalent (approximately 227 grams).

Common error

Avoid mixing imperial and metric units inconsistently within the same context. If you start with "half a pound", stick with ounces or pounds for related measurements, unless there's a clear reason to switch to grams or kilograms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half a pound" functions primarily as a noun phrase, specifically denoting a quantity or measurement of weight. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Food

20%

Technology

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "half a pound" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase to denote a quantity equal to eight ounces. Ludwig AI indicates it's prevalent across diverse contexts, including news, food-related content, and technology. While versatile and readily understood, remember to use it consistently with other measurement units, avoiding unnecessary shifts between imperial and metric systems. When writing for international audiences, consider including metric equivalents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eight ounces

Expresses the same weight in a different unit of measurement.

0.5 pounds

Uses a decimal representation of the same weight.

a portion of 8 ounces

Emphasizes the 'portion' aspect while specifying the weight.

226.8 grams

Converts the weight to the metric system equivalent.

a half-pound quantity

Uses a more descriptive adjective to indicate the amount.

a measurement of eight ounces

Focuses on the measurement aspect using ounces.

around eight ounces

Indicates an approximate quantity close to half a pound.

approximately 225 grams

States the equivalent metric weight with approximation.

a light serving

Focuses on the lightness of the portion.

a small amount of weight

Emphasizes the smallness of the weight without specifying a precise quantity.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to say "half a pound"?

You can use alternatives like "eight ounces", "0.5 pounds", or "approximately 227 grams" depending on the context and audience.

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

While "a half pound" might be understood, "half a pound" is the more common and grammatically preferred phrasing.

How much is "half a pound" in the metric system?

"Half a pound" is approximately equal to 226.8 grams or 0.227 kilograms.

When should I use "half a pound" versus "eight ounces"?

Use "half a pound" when you want to emphasize the fraction of a pound. Use "eight ounces" when you want to be more precise or when dealing with smaller increments of weight.