half as broad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half as broad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the width of one object to another, indicating that it is 50% of the width of the other object. Example: "The new table is half as broad as the old one, making it more suitable for the smaller dining area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Valued at £20, it was described as "large and important" and "a wood three leagues [about 9 miles] long and half as broad".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And not half as clean.

The New Yorker

Evil-skepticism is not as broad.

SEP

And Corison costs about half as much.

Forbes

Now she comes half as often.

Los Angeles Times

Father: "Half as far".

Huffington Post

You will be playing half as fast.

WikiHow

If sowing outside in rows at set spacings (such as broad beans) always sow half a dozen or so extra alongside to fill in any gaps that will inevitably appear.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The home side appeared shell-shocked as Broad, Adams and Swann ripped out half their side in just 15 overs.

BBC

Emotions are used as broad themes.

The Guardian - Tech

This leading pharmaceutical firm sells half its broad product line in the U.S. and half in Europe.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing dimensions, ensure the context clearly defines what is being measured. For example, specify if "half as broad" refers to width, diameter, or another dimension.

Common error

Avoid using "half as broad" when the context requires precise measurements. If accuracy is crucial, provide numerical values instead of relative comparisons. For example, instead of "half as broad", use "5 meters wide" if the original is "10 meters wide".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half as broad" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by specifying its width or extent relative to something else. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "half as broad" is a grammatically correct comparative phrase used to describe the width or extent of something relative to another object or concept. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is usable in written English and effectively conveys a sense of scale or magnitude. While not exceedingly common, appearing with "Uncommon" frequency across diverse sources from News & Media to encyclopedias and wikis, its meaning is consistently clear. For increased precision, especially in technical contexts, consider using numerical measurements instead. Alternative phrases like "half the width" or "50% as wide", may improve understandability depending on the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

half the width

Focuses specifically on the measurement of width, providing a direct synonym.

50% as wide

Expresses the comparison in percentage terms for a more quantitative feel.

half as wide

Synonymous substitution of "broad" with "wide", maintaining the comparative meaning.

half the breadth

Uses "breadth" as a more formal alternative to "width", suitable for specific contexts.

only half the size in width

More descriptive, emphasizing the dimensional aspect of the comparison.

not as broad as half

Expresses the concept using a negation and a comparison to half the size.

fifty percent of the width

A more technical way to state the same relationship in terms of percentage.

half the lateral extent

Uses "lateral extent" to specify the direction of measurement, adding precision.

50 percent in breadth

Rephrases the query emphasizing the measure.

of halve breadth

This alternative rewords the comparative sentence.

FAQs

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

You can use "half as broad" to compare the width or extent of two objects or concepts, indicating that one is 50% the width of the other. For example, "The new path is "half as broad" as the original."

What's a simpler way to say "half as broad"?

Alternatives include "half the width" or "50% as wide". These options offer more direct and easily understandable comparisons.

Is it correct to say "half as broad" or should I use "half as wide"?

Both "half as broad" and "half as wide" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably, although "wide" is generally more common in everyday language.

In what situations is it best to use "half as broad"?

"Half as broad" is appropriate when describing physical dimensions or abstract concepts where you want to emphasize the extent or scope. It can be particularly useful when comparing areas or ranges, such as "The scope of the investigation was "half as broad" as initially anticipated."