half agree that

USAGE SUMMARY

"half agree that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to introduce the idea that you only partially agree with a statement or opinion. For example: "I half agree that the current health policies are inadequate, but I don't think completely overhauling them is the best approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Some 70 percent of Americans recognize that global warming is a serious problem, and nearly half agree that humans are the main cause.

The New York Times

The survey makes amusing reading at times —  almost half of the respondents agree 'online advertising is creepy and stalks you', and more than half agree that 'most marketing is a bunch of B.S.'.

TechCrunch

Of the 72% of people who attended festivals five or more years ago, more than half agree that the scene and community have changed for the better.

Huffington Post

While half agree that it is to "clear a patient" for surgery, one-third disagree with this statement.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Almost half agreed that billing pressure "causes ethical and competent attorneys to leave private law practice".

The New York Times

Half agreed that the best thing for gay people was "not to tell others".

The Guardian

According to Dave Aron of Gartner, a research firm, in a recent survey of chief information officers around the world just over half agreed that both their businesses and their IT organisations were "in real danger" from a "digital tsunami".

The Economist

A poll this month found that three-quarters of evangelicals believe "the mass media is hostile," and nearly half agreed that "evangelical Christians are looked down upon by most Americans".

The New York Times

Less than half agreed that it would hurt low-skilled workers' employment prospects (none "strongly agreed" with that possibility), and among those who professed high confidence in their responses, 62 percent agreed that the benefits of such an increase outweighed its costs.

The New York Times

Less than half agreed that "all non-combatants should be treated with respect" and more than a third reckoned torture should sometimes be allowed.Size mattersAll this does not take into account America's need to keep forces ready to deal with unexpected developments elsewhere.

The Economist

Judges have sometimes chosen lawyers with an eye toward getting cases disposed of quickly, and in a survey of judges for the Texas bar association last year, more than half agreed that lawyers' contributions to judges' election campaigns at least sometimes influence the appointments.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "half agree that" to express a qualified agreement, indicating you only partially support a statement or concept. It's useful for nuanced opinions where a simple 'yes' or 'no' is insufficient.

Common error

Avoid using "half agree that" when you actually disagree. If your disagreement is significant, consider phrases like "partially disagree" or "have reservations about" to more accurately reflect your position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half agree that" functions as a qualifier, indicating a partial or incomplete agreement with a subsequent statement. As Ludwig indicates, it introduces a nuanced perspective.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "half agree that" is a grammatically correct phrase used to convey partial agreement with a statement. While Ludwig confirms its usability, it's important to understand its implications. It's more common in news and media contexts than in strictly academic or scientific writing. When using the phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects your stance and that you're not simply softening a disagreement. Consider alternative phrases if a more precise expression of your views is needed. The choice between using it and more definite statements lies in the specific context and how you intend to communicate your position.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially concur that

Replaces "half agree" with a more formal synonym for agreement, 'concur', maintaining the sense of partial agreement.

somewhat agree that

Substitutes "half" with "somewhat" for a slightly less precise indication of agreement level.

tend to agree that

Shifts the focus to a tendency of agreement, implying a leaning towards a particular viewpoint.

mostly agree that

Indicates a greater degree of agreement than "half agree", suggesting that the majority of the statement aligns with one's views.

agree to a certain extent that

Emphasizes the limited scope of the agreement, clarifying that only specific aspects of the statement are endorsed.

find myself in agreement up to a point that

Expresses agreement only until a certain point, implying a subsequent divergence of opinion.

generally accept that

Suggests a broad acceptance with possible reservations, rather than a full endorsement.

largely concede that

Indicates reluctant agreement or acceptance of a point, often in the face of opposing arguments.

can see some merit in that

Acknowledges the positive aspects of a statement but doesn't fully equate to an agreement.

I'm of two minds about that

Highlights internal conflict or uncertainty, conveying a lack of clear agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "half agree that" in a sentence?

You can use "half agree that" to show partial agreement with a statement. For example, "I "half agree that" the new policy is necessary, but I worry about its potential impact on employees."

What are some alternatives to "half agree that"?

You could use phrases like "partially concur that", "somewhat agree that", or "tend to agree that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "half agree that" or "partly agree that"?

"Half agree that" and "partly agree that" are largely interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference, although "partly agree that" might sound slightly more formal.

When should I avoid using "half agree that"?

Avoid using ""half agree that"" if your position is closer to disagreement than agreement. In such cases, phrases expressing doubt or partial disagreement, such as "I have reservations about that" or "I'm not entirely convinced" may be more appropriate.