half the bowler

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half the bowler" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be used in a specific context related to sports, particularly cricket, but without additional context, it is ambiguous. Example: "In the match, he managed to take half the bowler's wickets, showcasing his exceptional skill."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If Jimmy hadn't got injured, he wouldn't be half the bowler he is today".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And from that they will be given a strategy, with David Saker, the England pace-bowling coach, reckoning about half the input comes from him and the other half from the bowlers.

The Guardian - Sport

In the last five years, Americana lost almost half the 2,500 league bowlers who competed there, to lanes on Long Island, to the jam-packed Brunswick Woodhaven Lanes in Glendale or to the three other AMF alleys in Queens.

The New York Times

Needing 421 to avoid the follow-on, Northants got more than half-way as the bowlers laboured in vain.

BBC

77th over: England 290-5 (Flintoff 28 G.Jones 20) As Geoffrey Boycott intones: 'There's nowt that Lara can do when the bowler bowls two half volleys'... and he's right, as Geraint Jones creams both of them to the fence.

The Guardian - Sport

How unusual was it to see Dhoni just patting balls back to the bowler for the first half of his innings?

Independent

Ali miscues a drive from one tossed up, and connects with only half a bat, sending it straight back to the bowler.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite missing a Test due to injury, he scored 212 runs at 30.28 and took 33 wickets at 18.55, almost half the average of the next best bowler.

Wikipedia

A slanging match between the bowler and all-rounder prompted Willey to record the fastest half-century of the T20 season to help Northants to 194-2.

The Guardian - Sport

Abell brought up his half century off 90 balls before being undone when Neil Dexter deflected a shot by Hildreth into the stumps at the bowler's end.

BBC

Bollinger is the bowler.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a bowler's performance, consider specifying the aspect that is reduced or diminished, rather than using the ambiguous phrase "half the bowler". For example, specify "half the speed", "half the accuracy", or "half the stamina".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "half the bowler" without clarifying the intended meaning. It can be interpreted as referring to a physical injury, a decline in skill, or some other limitation. Be explicit about what aspect of the bowler's performance is being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half the bowler" functions as a noun phrase, although its grammatical correctness is questionable according to Ludwig AI. It attempts to describe a diminished or incomplete state of a bowler, but its meaning is not immediately clear without context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "half the bowler" appears in some contexts, particularly in sports reporting, it's not considered standard or grammatically correct English. Ludwig AI indicates that it's an ambiguous phrase and lacks clear meaning. It's best to avoid using it and opt for more descriptive and precise alternatives, specifying which aspect of the bowler's performance is diminished. Consider using phrases like "not the bowler he used to be" or clearly state the reduced attribute like "half the speed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

half the skill of the bowler

Replaces the direct reference to "bowler" with a focus on the skill level.

not the bowler he used to be

Focuses on a decline in the bowler's overall performance compared to a past state.

a shadow of his former self as a bowler

Emphasizes a significant decline in the bowler's abilities.

bowling at half capacity

Highlights that the bowler is performing below their maximum potential.

performing at half the bowler's potential

Specifically addresses the underutilization of the bowler's capabilities.

less effective than the bowler

Implies a comparison where the bowler's performance is diminished.

part of the bowler's ability

Highlights a fraction of the bowler's overall ability.

partially the bowler

Acknowledges that the bowler is not fully present or effective.

half as skilled as the bowler

Directly compares the current skill level to that of a specific bowler.

bowler with diminished capacity

Describes a bowler whose abilities are reduced for some reason.

FAQs

How can I describe a bowler who is not performing at their best?

Instead of "half the bowler", try phrases like "not the bowler he used to be", "bowling at half capacity", or specifying a reduced aspect of their performance, such as "half the speed" or "half the accuracy".

Is it grammatically correct to say "half the bowler"?

While understandable in specific contexts (particularly cricket), "half the bowler" is not standard English and is considered grammatically questionable. It's best to rephrase for clarity.

What does "half the bowler" mean in cricket?

In cricket, "half the bowler" could imply that a bowler's skill, stamina, or effectiveness has been reduced due to injury, fatigue, or other factors. However, it's not a common or precise term, so clarity is important.

What are some alternatives to "half the bowler" that are more descriptive?

Consider using more descriptive alternatives such as "bowler with diminished capacity", "performing at half the bowler's potential", or specifying what aspect of their bowling is affected (e.g., speed, accuracy).