half of the team

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half of the team" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are referring to a group of people and you want to indicate that there is an equal number of people on each side. For example: "The decision was made by half of the team, while the other half opposed it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although Anthony feels healthy, he also knows about half of the team is dealing with injuries.

The New York Times - Sports

(Traver Rains, the other half of the team, tipped his cowboy hat to her).

The New Yorker

He was half of the team Grecko and Willard during the mid-sixties.

The New Yorker

Half of the team I work in met on the Eton fives courts for goodness sake!

The Guardian

The Irish offense, thought to be the weaker half of the team, struggled in the opener.

The New York Times - Sports

(He was also one half of the team that brought us Sigourney Weaver).

The New Yorker

Durell, Ice Cube's character, is the more practical half of the team.

The New York Times

On some issues, Mr. Gore was the better half of the team.

The New York Times

Last week's agreement to buy out Nelson Doubleday's half of the team assured that.

The New York Times - Sports

It was directed by Ismail Merchant, who is generally the producing half of the team.

The New York Times

Looking all the way back to the beginning of last season, more than half of the team was new faces.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "half of the team", ensure that the context clearly defines the team and that the split is intended to be approximately equal. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the number of members if precision is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "half of the team" when you actually mean 'a significant portion' or 'most of the team'. "Half" implies a 50% split, so use more precise language if the actual proportion is different.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half of the team" functions as a quantifier specifying a proportion of a collective noun. As shown by Ludwig, it indicates that 50% of the members or components of the team are being referred to.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Sports

24%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "half of the team" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to 50% of a team's members. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is widely used and understood. It is frequently found in contexts like News & Media and Sports reporting. When using "half of the team", it's important to ensure the context clearly defines the team and that the split is intended to be approximately equal. Consider using alternatives such as "a "portion of the team"" or "some of the team members" for less specific proportions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

portion of the team

Replaces "half" with "portion", indicating an unspecified fraction.

part of the team

Substitutes "half" with "part", suggesting a non-specific segment of the team.

a segment of the team

Emphasizes a distinct section within the team.

some of the team members

Highlights individual members instead of the team as a whole.

fraction of the team

Employs "fraction" to denote a mathematical proportion, not necessarily equal to one-half.

members of the team

Focuses on inclusivity and diversity

divide the team

Changes from proportional to action.

group within the team

Highlights the existence of subgroups inside the team.

percentage of the team

Specifies a particular percentage, which may not be 50%.

significant portion of the team

Indicates a large but not necessarily equal part of the team.

FAQs

How can I use "half of the team" in a sentence?

You can use "half of the team" to describe a situation where a group is divided into two equal parts, such as "Half of the team supported the new strategy, while the other half remained skeptical."

What are some alternatives to saying "half of the team"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a "portion of the team"", "a "part of the team"", or "some of the team members".

Is it grammatically correct to say "half of the team are" or "half of the team is"?

While "half of the team is" is more common in formal writing because "team" is treated as a singular collective noun, "half of the team are" is also acceptable, particularly when emphasizing the individual members of the team.

What does "half of the team" imply about the team's composition?

The phrase "half of the team" suggests the team is being divided into two equal groups. This could be based on opinion, function, or any other relevant factor. If the proportions are unequal, phrases like "a "significant portion of the team"" are more accurate.