half off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of sales or discounts to indicate that the price of an item is reduced by 50%. Example: "This weekend only, all shoes are half off, so don't miss out on the great deals!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

"Half off?

The New York Times

Half off at the entire store at Ann Taylor.

The New York Times

HARTFORD Real Art Ways "Phil Lique and Laura Marsh: Half Off".

The New York Times

"Everything's half off now," said Hamad Awad, the salesman.

The New York Times

The lights are half off too (probably to save on bills …).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"He just arbitrarily wanted me to take half off," Mr. Mener said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

(They're buy one, get another half-off).

The New York Times

A half-off sale at Best Buy couldn't gather this many D.J.s in one space.

The New York Times - Arts

Some parents believe this half-on, half-off state is an unfair burden.

The New York Times

Many retailers are promoting them heavily, like Target, which has promoted half-off prices on uniforms.

The New York Times

It's not the same as a Half-Off Sale, where the store chooses what goods to discount.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advertising a "half off" sale, be clear about which items or services are included and any limitations that may apply.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "half off" always means the final price is exactly 50% of the original. Some promotions may apply the discount to a portion of the purchase or have other conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half off" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating a discount or reduction in price. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely understood. Examples show its use in describing sales, items, and services being offered at a reduced rate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "half off" is a common and grammatically sound way to advertise a 50% discount, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Primarily used in news, media, and general contexts, it clearly communicates a significant price reduction. While "half off" is generally neutral, formal settings may prefer "50% discount". To ensure clarity, businesses should specify the items or services covered by the "half off" promotion and any applicable restrictions. This is particularly important to avoid misinterpretations and ensure customer satisfaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

50% discount

Uses percentage to specify the discount amount instead of a fraction.

Half price

Rephrases the discount using the term "price" instead of "off".

50 percent off

Expresses the same discount numerically and with the word "percent".

Reduced by 50%

Focuses on the action of reducing the price by a specific percentage.

50% reduction

Uses the noun "reduction" to describe the decrease in price.

Marked down by half

Describes the discount as a "mark down", indicating a price adjustment.

At 50% of the original price

Specifies that the current price is 50% of the initial price.

Discounted by 50%

Uses the verb "discounted" to express the price reduction.

Half the cost

Refers to the reduced price as "half the cost".

50% slashed

Uses the verb "slashed" to indicate a significant price reduction.

FAQs

How is "half off" used in a sentence?

You can say "This shirt is "half off"" or "Get everything at "half price" during our sale".

What's an alternative way to say "half off"?

Instead of "half off", you could say "50 percent discount", ""half price"", or "reduced by 50%".

Is it correct to say "half-off sale"?

Yes, "half-off sale" is a common and correct way to describe a sale where items are offered at half their original price.

What is the difference between "half off" and "buy one get one half off"?

"Half off" means everything is 50% off the original price. "Buy one get one "half off"" means you pay full price for one item and get the second item at 50% off.