half the amount

USAGE SUMMARY

"half the amount" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It can be used to refer to half of a specific quantity or number. For example: 1. "I only paid half the amount for the concert ticket because I got a discount." 2. "We were only able to cover half the amount of the budget needed for the project." 3. "Please deposit half the amount into my account and keep the other half for yourself." 4. "The recipe calls for half the amount of sugar, so don't add too much." 5. "I was surprised that she lent me half the amount of money I needed without hesitation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Columbia University

The Guardian - Money

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

One is the half the amount of food waste.

Columbia University

So 8% a year is, at best, only half the amount you should be saving.

The Guardian - Money

In December, the center said it had only half the amount of blood it considered necessary.

The New York Times

The BBC reports that the damages award is around half the amount VirnetX had originally sought.

TechCrunch

The BBC reports that the damages award is around half the amount VirnetX had originally sought.

TechCrunch

Half the amount was paid shortly before the German invasion of Norway on 9 April 1940.

Wikipedia

The amount of generation capacity installed was half the amount of the year before.

Los Angeles Times

About half the amount the Australian Olympic Committee lobbied for.

The Guardian - Sport

That is half the amount expected by an analyst.

The New York Times

The pension fund now has about half the amount needed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

'0.5x' indicates plating of one-half the amount of yeast cells relative to other spots.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half the amount", ensure you're clear about what the original total is. For example, instead of just saying "use half the amount", specify "use half the amount of sugar called for in the recipe".

Common error

A common mistake is to use "half the amount" without clearly establishing what the "amount" refers to. Always provide context or a clear antecedent to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half the amount" functions primarily as a modifier specifying quantity. As Ludwig indicates, it's a grammatically sound phrase often used to describe a precise proportion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

10%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "half the amount" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that specifies a quantity equivalent to 50% of a given total. Ludwig highlights its versatility, demonstrating its use across diverse contexts, from news reports and academic papers to everyday discussions. While generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to provide context to ensure clarity about the reference quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a sound phrase that writers can use with confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

half the quantity

Replaces "amount" with the synonym "quantity".

50% of the quantity

Expresses the same proportion using a percentage.

50 percent of what's needed

Expresses the idea in terms of what is required or needed.

nearly 50% of the total

Specifies a percentage close to half of the total.

a moiety of the sum

Uses more formal vocabulary to denote half.

approximately half

Indicates an estimation close to half the amount.

almost half the quantity

Indicates an amount slightly less than half.

partially the quantity

A less specific term indicating a portion of the total amount.

a fraction of the total

Indicates a part of the total, not necessarily half.

a portion of the sum

Expresses a general part without specifying the exact fraction.

FAQs

How can I use "half the amount" in a sentence?

You can use "half the amount" to indicate a quantity that is 50% of a specific total. For example, "I only needed "half the amount" of paint for the second coat".

What's a more formal way to say "half the amount"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "50% of the quantity" or "a moiety of the sum" instead of "half the amount".

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "half the amount"?

While generally correct, using "half the amount" can be confusing if the reference point isn't clear. Always ensure the reader understands what the original "amount" refers to. For example, avoid saying "I used half the amount" without specifying what the total amount was.

What's the difference between "half the amount" and "a portion of the amount"?

"Half the amount" specifically refers to 50% of something, whereas "a portion of the amount" indicates a less precise quantity. "Half the amount" is exact, while a portion is a general part.