half as good

USAGE SUMMARY

"half as good" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express that something is only half as good as something else, usually when comparing two items. For example, "This ice cream is half as good as the one I had last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Opinion

Food

Music

Film

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Would that we were even half as good as he.

The New York Times

Canned salmon, also with bones, is about half as good.

The New York Times - Science

It cost twice as much and tasted half as good.

The New Yorker

Without her I don't think Hortense would have been half as good as she was".

Independent

If Roland were half as good as he thinks he is, he'd be Gordon the Gopher.

Independent

It's no surprise that most rosé tastes only half as good when you get back home.

The New York Times - Food

"Mine cost double the amount of Wayne's and was maybe half as good," he said.

The New Yorker

Let's hope the second half is even half as good as that first 45 was.

The New York Times - Sports

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

The Guardian - Film

If the Marlins are half as good as McKeon's act, they have a shot.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

If 2013 is half as good we'll be fortunate.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half as good", ensure that the comparison is clear. Specify what the subject is being compared to for better clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "half as good" when you actually mean 'not nearly as good'. The phrase implies a quantifiable comparison, so ensure the difference is approximately half, not a vast gap.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half as good" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, used to indicate that one thing is significantly inferior in quality, performance, or another attribute when directly compared to something else. The Ludwig examples confirm its role in comparative assessments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sports

18%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "half as good" is a common and grammatically sound comparative phrase utilized to express that something is markedly inferior to a specified standard. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for general usage across different registers, though is more common in news, sports, and media contexts. For more formal contexts, consider synonyms such as "substantially worse" or "significantly inferior". Ensure clarity in comparisons to effectively convey the intended meaning. While widely used, it's crucial to ensure accurate quantification when stating that something is "half as good".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nowhere near as good

Stresses the vast disparity in quality, indicating a wide margin.

not nearly as good

Emphasizes a significant difference in quality, implying a considerable gap.

substantially worse

Highlights a notable degree of inferiority in comparison.

significantly inferior

Highlights the lower quality or status compared to something else.

not up to par

Indicates that something does not meet the expected standards.

not as impressive

Focuses on the lack of impact or admiration compared to something else.

a poor substitute

Suggests that something is an inadequate replacement for something else.

a pale imitation

Implies that something is a weak or poor copy of something else.

a shadow of its former self

Suggests a decline in quality or performance over time.

not a patch on

Informal way to say something is much better than something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "half as good" to compare the quality of two things, indicating that one is significantly inferior to the other. For example, "This coffee isn't "half as good" as the one I had yesterday".

What phrases are similar to "half as good"?

Alternatives include "not nearly as good", "significantly inferior", or "nowhere near as good", which all express varying degrees of lower quality or effectiveness.

Is it appropriate to use "half as good" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "half as good" may be perceived as less formal. Consider using alternatives such as "substantially worse" or "significantly inferior" for a more professional tone.

Can "half as good" be used to describe improvements?

No, "half as good" is used to describe something of lesser quality. To describe an improvement, you might say something is "twice as good" or "significantly better".