half as well

USAGE SUMMARY

"half as well" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to compare the quality, abilities, or level of something between two groups. For example: "The students who studied diligently performed half as well as the students who studied twice as much."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

May the rest of us do half as well".

The Guardian - Film

If you believe that it will do half as well, you should hold 4%.

Yale University

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

The New York Times - Books

If they do half as well as they're capable of doing, they can do some damage".

The New York Times - Sports

"Yes," Holmes might reply, "Not half as well as we used to".

The Guardian

But even as we do half as well, the recent stagnation will be overcome.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

In the longer term, Slade could press a claim at outside-half as well as inside-centre.

Independent

O'Connor's versatility makes him another option for Deans at fly-half, as well as at full-back.

The New York Times - Sports

This chapter presents methods that can be applied to both fully incompressible problems (Poisson ratio equal to one-half) as well as nearly incompressible problems.

The Finite Element Method: its Basis and Fundamentals

Princeton's defense and special teams came up big in the second half as well.

Princeton University

Clothing chains could have a difficult second half as well, analysts said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half as well", ensure that the comparison is clear and that both subjects of the comparison are explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying 'He didn't do half as well', specify 'He didn't do half as well as his brother'.

Common error

Avoid using "half as well" without a clear reference point. Ensure the sentence specifies what the subject is not doing half as well as. Vague comparisons can confuse readers and weaken the intended message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half as well" functions as an adverbial phrase of comparison, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that something is performing or succeeding at only half the level of something else. This is supported by Ludwig's examples where it compares different levels of performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "half as well" is a commonly used and grammatically sound construction for making comparisons, specifically to indicate that something performs at only 50% of the level of something else. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. When using "half as well", ensure the comparison is clear to avoid ambiguity, and remember that less formal alternatives like "not nearly as good" may suit different contexts better. Its widespread usage and clear meaning make it a reliable choice for expressing relative performance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not half as effective

Specifically points out that something is not even close to being as effective.

not nearly as good

Emphasizes a significant difference in quality or performance, indicating a lower standard.

nowhere near as successful

Emphasizes the lack of success in comparison to another entity.

considerably worse

Highlights a notable decline or inferiority in comparison to something else.

significantly poorer

Indicates a substantial difference in quality, with a focus on the negative aspect.

not remotely as skilled

Stresses the lack of skill or ability in comparison.

not up to par

Suggests a failure to meet the expected standard or level of performance.

less effectively

Focuses on the reduced efficiency or impact of an action or process.

substantially inferior

Highlights a significant difference in quality, denoting a lower grade or standard.

paler imitation

Expresses the idea of something being weaker and also less convincing than another.

FAQs

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

You can use "half as well" to compare the performance or quality of two things, indicating that one is significantly inferior to the other. For example, "The new product didn't sell "half as well" as the previous version".

What does "half as well" mean?

"Half as well" means that something is only performing or achieving at 50% of the level, quality, or success of something else. It indicates a notable difference in effectiveness.

What are some alternatives to using "half as well"?

Alternatives to "half as well" include phrases like "not nearly as good", "considerably worse", or "significantly poorer", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "half as well"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "half as well" in English. It's a common idiom used for comparisons. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.