half the amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

"half the amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a smaller portion or quantity of something than what is normally expected or available. For example: She only had half the amount of sugar necessary for the recipe.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

"But if the number is only half, the amount of flying time is probably even more than usual".

The New York Times

Today each Japanese consumes, on average, about 60kg of rice a year, roughly half the amount of the early 1960s.

The Economist

In 1996 ad spending in the United States was estimated at $175 billion, almost half the amount of today's advertising costs".

Huffington Post

The group receiving the ketamine/morphine combination required only half the amount of morphine as the morphine-only group.

BioMed Research International

Many cooks recommend using one-third to a half the amount of dried herb to fresh herb.

WikiHow

Half the amount of rock sugar to ume, in whatever unit you're using (lbs, kg), is a good guideline.

WikiHow

And she had barely half the amount of blood she should have.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We're lucky if we get half the amount of the money we charge for Sol".

The New York Times - Arts

Estimates of the size of that deficit are near half the amount of the budget.

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 of", ensure the context clearly defines what the original amount is for clarity. For example, "half the amount of water" is more precise than just "half the amount."

Common error

Avoid using "half the amount of" without a clear reference point. For instance, instead of saying "I used half the amount", specify "I used half the amount of sugar the recipe called for" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half the amount of" functions as a determiner phrase specifying a quantity or degree. It modifies a noun, indicating that the quantity is reduced to 50% of the original. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

38%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "half the amount of" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a quantity that is 50% of a specified total. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It’s versatile across various contexts, predominantly appearing in News & Media and Science. To ensure clarity, always specify what the "amount" refers to. While alternatives like "50 percent of" or "one-half of" exist, the best choice depends on context. This comprehensive analysis offers practical guidance for using the phrase effectively and avoiding common pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

50 percent of the quantity

Uses a percentage to specify the halved amount, focusing on the numerical value.

fifty per cent of

Expresses the half proportion using percentage. Slightly more formal.

one-half of the sum

Replaces "amount" with "sum", suitable when referring to a total quantity.

half the measure of

Replaces "amount" with "measure", emphasizing the act of quantifying.

reduced by half

Highlights the reduction in quantity by 50%.

a moiety of the volume

Uses more formal vocabulary ("moiety" and "volume") for a sophisticated tone.

one-half in quantity

Describes the proportional relationship of the volume, highlighting the volume is half

a half share of

Implies a division of something into two portions or shares.

partially the number of

Emphasizes a relative reduction in the quantity compared to another quantity.

in halves the quantity of

Indicates an actual division in halves and compares the portion to another quantity

FAQs

How do I use "half the amount of" in a sentence?

Use "half the amount of" to indicate a quantity that is 50% of a specified whole. For example, "Use "half the amount of" sugar the recipe calls for."

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

You can use alternatives like "50 percent of", "one-half of", or "a half share of" to express a similar meaning. The best choice depends on the specific context. See more "alternatives to half the amount of".

Is it always necessary to specify what "half the amount of" refers to?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the reference point usually improves clarity. Instead of "use half the amount", it's better to say "use "half the amount of salt"."

What's the difference between "half the amount of" and "half as much"?

"Half the amount of" is typically used with countable or measurable nouns (e.g., "half the amount of water"), while "half as much" is more general. Both convey a similar meaning of reduction by 50%.