half the breadth of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half the breadth of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a measurement that is equal to 50% of a given width or breadth. Example: "The fabric should be cut to half the breadth of the original piece to create a smaller version of the design."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

At the cutting edge of work being carried out at the Hamlyn Centre in Imperial College, a lab which develops technologies for use in healthcare, is a clasping hand which is little more than half the breadth of a hair.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

On my way to the post office one morning, I walked the breadth of Boulder's dwellings and fields in half an hour.

The New York Times - Style

The half day allocated for the training was regarded as limited given the breadth of content and complexity of some material.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

The breadth of opposition is hardly surprising.

Independent

The breadth of skill is often impressive.

The New York Times - Arts

The breadth of their esotericism was impressive.

The New Yorker

The breadth of the Morey companies help.

The New York Times

It's about the breadth of it".

The New York Times

-- one admires the breadth of his erudition.

The New York Times - Books

"The breadth of the change was unexpected.

The Guardian

This shows the breadth of your knowledge.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "half the breadth of" to provide a clear and concise measurement in technical or descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "half the breadth of" when you actually mean "half the scope of". Breadth refers to physical width, while scope refers to range or extent. Using the terms interchangeably can confuse your readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half the breadth of" functions as a prepositional modifier, specifying a proportional dimension. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is used to indicate that something is 50% of a given width or extent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "half the breadth of" serves as a prepositional modifier to indicate that something measures 50% of a particular width or scope. Ludwig's analysis of real-world examples reveals that it's grammatically correct and most commonly used in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While the phrase is not very common, alternatives like "half the width of" and "50 percent of the breadth" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in tone and precision. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure that the context makes clear whether you are referring to a physical dimension or a more abstract concept like scope.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

half the width of

Replaces "breadth" with the synonym "width", maintaining the same meaning.

one-half the breadth of

Adds "one-" before "half" for emphasis or formality, without changing the core meaning.

50% of the breadth of

Expresses "half" as a percentage, providing a more precise measurement.

reduced to half its breadth

Focuses on the action of reducing the size to half its original dimension.

half as wide as

Uses "wide" as an alternative to "breadth", suitable when referring to a physical width.

cut in half breadthwise

Indicates a division along the breadth dimension into two equal parts.

half the measure of

Emphasizes the measurement aspect, suitable for abstract or quantifiable breadths.

a moiety of the breadth of

Uses "moiety" as a more formal or archaic term for half, adding a sophisticated tone.

at a mid-breadth point

Focuses on locating something at the halfway point along the breadth dimension.

half the extent of

Replaces "breadth" with "extent", suitable for abstract or non-physical dimensions.

FAQs

How can I use "half the breadth of" in a sentence?

You can use "half the breadth of" to describe something that is half as wide as something else. For example: "The new design is half the breadth of the original."

What is the difference between "half the breadth of" and "half the width of"?

The phrases "half the breadth of" and "half the width of" are often interchangeable, especially when referring to physical dimensions. However, "breadth" can also refer to scope or extent, while "width" typically refers only to physical measurement. Consider the context when choosing between the two.

What are some alternatives to "half the breadth of"?

Some alternatives include "half the width of", "50 percent of the breadth", or "one-half the breadth", depending on the desired level of formality and precision.

Is it more appropriate to use "breadth" or "width" in technical writing?

While both "breadth" and "width" can be used in technical writing, "width" is generally preferred when referring to physical measurements. "Breadth" is more suitable when describing the scope or range of something. Therefore, it depends on the specific context and what you are trying to convey.