half or more

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half or more" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a quantity that is at least fifty percent or greater of a total amount. Example: "To pass the exam, you need to answer half or more of the questions correctly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Perhaps half or more of those will never marry.

The Economist

Half or more of women with PCOS become obese.

The New York Times - Health

Wholesalers buy half or more of the supply for resale.

The New York Times

"We are quite willing to spend half or more of our budget on a single object".

The New York Times - Arts

Worse, half or more of the 14,000 staff are expected to lose their jobs.

The Economist

Half or more of the cost of food aid goes to transport, storage and handling.

The New York Times

The economic downturn has cut prices for recyclables by half or more since last summer.

The Economist

In Kenya, Sudan and Gabon half or more of adults used mobile money.

The Economist

All told, the scheme cuts the costs of remittances by half or more.

The Economist

The government currently pays half or more of the costs of Medicaid, which insures the poor.

The New York Times

Probably half or more of the people between 30 and 35 have some associated health condition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half or more", ensure the context clearly defines the total quantity to which the fraction refers. For example, "Half or more of the students" is clear if the number of students is known.

Common error

Avoid using "half or more" in situations where the total quantity is vague or undefined. For instance, saying "Half or more effort" is ambiguous without specifying what constitutes the total effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half or more" functions primarily as a modifier to quantify a noun. It indicates that the amount or number being referred to is at least 50% of the total. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and widespread.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "half or more" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to indicate that a quantity is at least 50% of a whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and formal business writing. While it can be used interchangeably with phrases like "at least half" or "more than half", it's important to ensure clarity by defining the total quantity being referenced. Avoid ambiguity by specifying what constitutes the 'whole' when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at least half

Emphasizes the minimum quantity, making it clear that half is the lower limit.

fifty percent or more

Uses precise numerical terms to specify the quantity, adding clarity.

at least fifty percent

Similar to "at least half", but uses a precise percentage for emphasis.

more than half

Highlights that the quantity exceeds half, suggesting a greater portion.

over half

A more concise way to say "more than half", suitable for informal contexts.

a majority

Indicates that more than half is involved, focusing on dominance rather than the specific quantity.

most of

Implies a substantial portion, typically greater than half, but without specifying the exact amount.

in excess of half

A more formal way of saying "more than half", often used in technical or legal contexts.

a good portion

Indicates a significant amount without specifying a precise fraction.

substantial part

Implies a considerable amount or share, although it does not have to be strictly greater than half.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "half or more" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "at least half", "more than half", or "fifty percent or more" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "half or more"?

Yes, the phrase "half or more" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate a quantity that is at least fifty percent or greater of a total amount.

What is the difference between "half or more" and "more than half"?

"Half or more" includes the possibility of being exactly half, whereas "more than half" implies that the quantity is strictly greater than half.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "half or more"?

The phrase "half or more" is appropriate in various contexts, including news reports, scientific articles, and business communications, to describe proportions or quantities that are at least 50%.