half of both

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half of both" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity or portion that is equally divided between two items or groups. Example: "To find the average, we need to take half of both numbers and then add them together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

(Slightly half of both groups were also taking inhaled steroids). Salpeter said the results found that people on the long-acting medication were four to six times more likely to die of asthma-related causes than those on placebo.

The Washington Post

BIOL 101 and BIOL 103 are offered during the first half of both the fall and spring terms.

Yale University

6.0001 is a six unit subject taught in the first half of both the fall and spring semesters.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Distribute half of both cheeses over top.

The New York Times - Food

The automaker already owns half of both ventures.

The New York Times

Roughly half of both groups were either independent or declined to state an affiliation.

The Economist

In 10 of 14 patients, maximum velocity occurred in the right half of both the ascending and descending aorta.

American Heart Journal

By the end of the study, more than half of both groups had their blood pressure under control.

The New York Times - Health

I wrote over half of both papers in a toasty corner of the Bent Spoon, whose delicious artisan ice cream made matters more difficult.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

As the infighting continued, a new poll by Quinnipiac University suggested that Mr. Torricelli's image among voters was less than stellar, while Mr. McGreevey remained unknown by more than half of both Democrats and Republicans.

The New York Times

I asked the producer and musical innovator (he's one-half of both Gnarls Barkley and Broken Bells) about making the album, the process to get it released and collaborations in general.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half of both", ensure clarity by specifying the units or entities to which you are referring. For example, "half of both apples" is clearer than just "half of both".

Common error

Avoid using "half of both" without clear context. Ensure the reader understands what the "both" refers to, as ambiguity can lead to misinterpretation. Always provide specific nouns or descriptions to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half of both" functions as a determiner phrase indicating a quantity or proportion affecting two distinct entities. It specifies that 50% of each of the two referenced items is being considered. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "half of both" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that 50% of two separate entities is being considered. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what "both" refers to. Alternatives such as "fifty percent of each" or "part of each" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. Avoid ambiguity by always providing sufficient context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fifty percent of each

Replaces "half" with the numerical equivalent and uses "each" to emphasize individual items.

50% of both

Uses the percentage symbol for brevity.

one half of each

A more formal and explicit way of saying "half of both".

part of each

Similar to "a portion of both" but more concise.

a portion of both

Uses a more general term ("portion") instead of specifying "half".

equal share of both

Emphasizes the equality of the divided portion.

a section of each

Emphasizes that the division is referring to a specific section.

divided equally among both

Highlights the equal distribution between two entities.

split evenly between both

Focuses on the act of splitting something equally.

a moiety of both

Uses a less common, more technical term for "half".

FAQs

How can I use "half of both" in a sentence?

You can use "half of both" to indicate that a quantity is divided equally between two things. For example, "Half of both the cake and the pie were eaten at the party".

What is a more formal way to say "half of both"?

A more formal alternative to "half of both" could be "one half of each", which provides a slightly more explicit tone.

Is it correct to say "half of both", or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "half of both" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Alternatives like "part of each" or "fifty percent of both" are also valid and depend on the desired level of formality.

What does "half of both" mean?

"Half of both" means taking half the quantity of two separate items or groups. For example, if you have two pizzas, "half of both" means taking half of the first pizza and half of the second pizza.