half as

USAGE SUMMARY

"half as" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually followed by an adjective or adverb, and is used to compare two things in terms of quantity or degree. Example: I am only half as tall as my older brother.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And not half as clean.

The New Yorker

Not half as much.

The New York Times - Sports

"And it is nearly half as expensive".

The New York Times - Health

I didn't work half as hard.

The Guardian - Opinion

Make it half as long again.

The Guardian - Books

"Now it's about half as much".

The New York Times - Arts

Lenses can be about half as much.

The New York Times - Tech

They'll have trouble in making a movie half as good or half as authentic.

The Guardian - Film

"We had half as much time and half as much money as the Italians.

The New York Times - Sports

That I have to use condoms half as often?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The fly-half, as much as anyone.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half as", ensure you clearly state what you are comparing to. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid sentences that leave the comparison incomplete. For example, instead of saying "This car costs half as much", specify "This car costs half as much as that one" to provide full context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half as" functions as a comparative or proportional modifier. It is used to indicate that something is reduced to 50% relative to another value. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "half as" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a comparative relationship, indicating that something is 50% of another. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s versatile, appearing across diverse contexts from news and science to wikis, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. To ensure clarity, always specify what you are comparing to and avoid incomplete comparisons. Consider related phrases like ""50 percent of"" or ""half the amount of"" for alternative expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

50 percent of

Replaces "half as" with a direct percentage value, making the comparison more explicit.

half the amount of

Emphasizes the quantity being compared, highlighting that one thing is half the quantity of another.

fifty percent less than

Focuses on the reduction in percentage terms, useful when contrasting two values.

half the size

Specifically refers to a comparison in terms of physical dimensions.

a fraction of

Indicates a smaller portion without specifying the exact proportion.

considerably less

Highlights a significant reduction, implying that something is much smaller or lower.

markedly smaller

Focuses on the visible difference in size or quantity.

significantly reduced

Emphasizes that a reduction has occurred, often used in formal contexts.

a portion of

Highlights a smaller portion without specifying the exact proportion.

partially

Highlights that an action has been done only in a portion, or in a lower extent than expected.

FAQs

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

Use "half as" to show that something is 50% of another thing in terms of quantity, size, or another measurable attribute. For example, "This recipe requires "half as" much sugar as the original".

What's the difference between "half as much" and "twice as much"?

"Half as much" indicates a reduction to 50% of the original amount, while "twice as much" indicates a doubling of the original amount. They represent opposite proportional relationships.

What are some alternatives to using "half as" in writing?

You can use alternatives like "50 percent of", "half the amount of", or "fifty percent less than" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "50 percent of" instead of "half as"?

Using "50 percent of" can sound more formal or precise in certain contexts, especially in technical or scientific writing, while "half as" is generally suitable for everyday communication.