half the ball

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half the ball" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing a portion or share of something, often in a metaphorical sense related to sports or teamwork. Example: "In this game, we need to control half the ball to maintain our advantage over the opponents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"After going 11 percent in the first half, the ball was bound to drop," said U.S.F.'s Augustus Gilchrist.

The New York Times - Sports

After some tenacious pressing from Soldado deep inside the Villa half, the ball broke for Holtby, who picked out Paulinho.

The Guardian - Sport

At two Wallaby scrums in the first half the ball just sat there, unmoving as a slumbering wombat, with Stephen Moore unable to strike and Fiji going nowhere.

The Guardian - Sport

Theirs is a patient passing game and for a 20 minute spell in the first half, the ball was constantly at the feet of the men in the green-and-black kit.

Independent

Whereas in the first half the ball went to ground, now it stuck and their ascendancy was underlined when England's hooker, Emma Croker, was sent to the sin-bin.

The Guardian - Sport

When Eddie Griffin went up for a dunk late in the first half, the ball bounced off the rim, soared straight up and fell through the hoop without touching iron.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Cook half the balls until browned.

WikiHow

Cut one of the toothpicks in half and stick one half into the ball with the pointy end.

WikiHow

With two minutes of the half remaining the ball was played into the centre of the CSKA half, Ignashevich misjudged the flight of the ball, which went over his head and fell to Cissé.

Wikipedia

The rain in the first half meant "the ball was very greasy and it was difficult under foot," Howley said.

The New York Times - Sports

Reid made a dubious call with 23 seconds left in the first half and the ball at midfield.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical contact or impact in sports, use ""half the ball"" to precisely indicate the point of contact for a specific effect, such as lifting the ball or changing its trajectory.

Common error

Avoid using ""half the ball"" when the context requires a more general term like "part of the ball" or "section of the ball". ""Half the ball"" specifically refers to exactly 50% of the ball.

Linguistic Context

The phrase ""half the ball"" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It specifies a particular portion of a spherical object, often in contexts where precision or specific impact points are important. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing sports techniques and object dimensions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase ""half the ball"" is a noun phrase that functions to specify exactly 50% of a ball. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in contexts related to sports, science, and general discussions, often emphasizing precision and specific contact points. While grammatically sound and generally acceptable, it's essential to consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning, especially against similar phrases like "a portion of the ball". This ensures clarity and prevents misunderstanding, making your writing more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a portion of the ball

This alternative focuses on describing "half the ball" as a fraction of the entire ball.

part of the ball

This alternative expresses the idea of a fraction of "the ball", similarly to "half the ball".

one half of the ball

This alternative is a more formal and explicit way of saying "half the ball".

50 percent of the ball

This expresses "half the ball" as a percentage.

a section of the ball

While not exactly "half", this still refers to a part of the ball, suitable in contexts where precision is not crucial.

a segment of the ball

Similar to a section, it refers to a portion of the ball, without necessarily being half.

a fraction of the ball

This is a less specific way of saying a portion of the ball.

a piece of the ball

This alternative implies a smaller, potentially detached portion of the ball.

a share of the ball

This implies participation with other team players during a match.

controlling the ball

This conveys the idea of dominating possession of the ball, differing from merely having half.

FAQs

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

You can use ""half the ball"" to describe a specific portion of a ball, like in the sentence: "He aimed to hit the bottom "half of the ball" to make it lift".

What can I say instead of "half the ball"?

You can use alternatives like "a portion of the ball", "part of the ball", or "one half of the ball" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "half of the ball" instead of "half the ball"?

Both "half of the ball" and ""half the ball"" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

In what contexts is ""half the ball"" commonly used?

""Half the ball"" is often used in sports contexts, particularly when describing the point of impact on a ball to achieve a certain effect. It can also be used more generally to describe a literal half of a spherical object.