half of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'half of which' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group or quantity of which only half is specified or mentioned. For example: "We received 50 items yesterday, half of which were defective."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only half of which was true.

The Guardian

He presently owns ten, half of which have been restored.

The New Yorker

The centrepiece of James Button's eloquent design is a composite wooden structure – half of which can be lit up as crucifix and half of which is a gallows.

Independent

More than 8,000 abusive messages were directed towards Balotelli, over half of which were racist.

The Guardian - Sport

The EIF has a budget of about £10m – half of which comes from the public purse.

The Guardian - Opinion

Last year Sky spent £2.6bn on programming, around half of which went on sport.

The Guardian

That spells trouble for Japan's economy, half of which is driven by personal spending.

The New York Times

There is a small supermarket next door, over half of which is given over to alcohol.

The Guardian - Music

So far, the total pledged stands at $37.5bn, almost half of which comes from Japan.

The Guardian

Over 40 film screenings, roughly half of which are New Jersey or area (Middlesex County) premieres.

The New York Times

British soils contain around 10bn tonnes of carbon, half of which is found in peat habitats.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half of which", ensure the antecedent is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The company produced 100 units, half of which were exported."

Common error

Avoid using a singular verb after "half of which" when referring to a plural noun. For example, instead of "The books, half of which was damaged," use "The books, half of which were damaged."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half of which" functions as a relative clause, modifying a preceding noun phrase by specifying a proportion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and serves to provide additional information about a specific quantity or group. Examples show this phrase linking a detail about an overall amount to a subset or portion of that amount.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "half of which" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that 50% of a previously mentioned item or group is being discussed. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, followed by scientific and business writing. When using "half of which", ensure clear reference to the antecedent and maintain subject-verb agreement to avoid errors. Alternative phrases, such as "fifty percent of which" or "a moiety of which", can be used for stylistic variation. Remember to choose the alternative that best suits the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fifty percent of which

Replaces "half" with its numerical equivalent, providing the same proportional meaning with a slightly more formal tone.

one half of which

Clarifies the fraction explicitly, suitable for contexts where precision is important, though slightly more verbose.

a moiety of which

Uses a less common synonym for "half", adding a layer of formality and sophistication, but maintaining the core meaning.

a percentage of which

Emphasizes a quantifiable proportion, allowing for flexibility by specifying a specific percentage other than 50%.

a portion of which

Indicates a part of the whole, less precise than "half", suitable when the exact proportion is not critical.

a share of which

Suggests a division or allotment of something, implying a distribution among multiple recipients or categories.

a fraction of which

Indicates a small or non-specific portion, suggesting that the amount being referenced is less than half.

part of which

A more general term for a section of the whole, without specifying any exact fraction or quantity.

a section of which

Highlights a distinct segment or component within the whole, useful when discussing parts with unique characteristics.

some of which

Indicates an unspecified quantity less than the whole, useful when the specific amount is unknown or irrelevant.

FAQs

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

Use "half of which" to refer back to a previously mentioned quantity and specify that 50% of it is relevant to the current statement. For example, "The project cost $1 million, "half of which" was funded by private investors."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "half of which"?

Alternatives include "fifty percent of which", "a moiety of which", or "one half of which". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

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

The verb agreement depends on whether the noun being referred to is singular or plural. Use "is" with singular nouns and "are" with plural nouns. For example, "Half of the pie is gone" versus "Half of the apples are rotten."

How formal is the phrase "half of which"?

"Half of which" is generally considered suitable for formal writing and speech. It provides a precise and clear way to express a proportional relationship.