half of the

USAGE SUMMARY

"half of the" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to a portion of the whole thing. For example, "Half of the students in the class failed their final exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Add half of the slices.

The New York Times - Magazine

Add half of the onion.

The New York Times - Health

Half of the men were named Nikolai.

The New Yorker

Half of the taxi drivers are spies".

Independent

"Half of the history is missing".

The New York Times

Half of the proposed plan was shelved.

The New York Times - Science

About half of the catch is exported.

Encyclopedia Britannica

About half of the property is wooded.

The New York Times

"Haraam!" one half of the group crooned.

The New York Times

Half of the harvest is exported.

The New York Times

Nearly half of the refugees are children.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half of the" in formal writing, ensure clarity by specifying what the 'whole' refers to. For example, instead of "Half of the project is complete", write "Half of the project budget has been spent".

Common error

Avoid using a singular verb with "half of the" when referring to plural nouns. For example, instead of "Half of the students is ready", write "Half of the students are ready".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half of the" functions as a determiner specifying a portion equal to one of two parts. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it commonly precedes nouns, indicating a division or proportion of the whole.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

33%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "half of the" is a frequently used phrase to denote one of two equal parts of a whole, according to Ludwig's analysis. It is grammatically correct and broadly applicable across various contexts, maintaining a neutral register. The examples gathered by Ludwig showcase its prevalence in news, wikis, and scientific literature. When employing this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and specify what the 'whole' refers to for clarity. By using this guide, you can confidently and correctly use "half of the" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one half of the

Replaces "half" with its numerical equivalent, emphasizing the fractional aspect.

50 percent of the

Uses a percentage to represent the half, providing a more precise and quantifiable expression.

nearly half of the

Indicates a proportion close to half, but slightly less.

approximately half of the

Adds a degree of uncertainty, useful when the proportion is not exact.

around half of the

Similar to "approximately half", suggesting an estimated proportion.

a portion of the

Refers to a part without specifying the exact amount, offering a more general alternative.

a share of the

Implies a division or allotment, suitable when discussing resources or responsibilities.

part of the

Indicates a segment or component, without specifying the proportion.

halfway through the

Focuses on the midpoint or progression to half of something, like a task or duration.

a moiety of the

Uses a more formal or archaic term for 'half,' suitable for specific legal or anthropological contexts.

FAQs

How to use "half of the" in a sentence?

"Half of the" is used to indicate one of two equal parts of something. For example, "Half of the apple was eaten" or "Half of the students are present".

What can I say instead of "half of the"?

You can use alternatives like "one half of the", "50 percent of the", or "a portion of the" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "half of the" or "a half of the"?

"Half of the" is generally correct. "A half of the" is less common and might sound awkward. It's usually better to stick with "half of the".

What's the difference between "half of the" and "the half of"?

"Half of the" refers to one of two equal parts of a whole. "The half of" is less common but can be used to specify a particular half. For instance, "The upper half of the painting" specifies which half is being discussed.