half the earth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half the earth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a significant portion of the planet, often in discussions about geography, population, or environmental issues. Example: "Half the earth is covered by water, which plays a crucial role in sustaining life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Ted was lucky enough to have one, and unlucky enough to be separated from him by half the Earth.

The Guardian - Books

Amerigo Vespucci, the pickle-dealer at Seville, who... managed in this lying world to supplant Columbus and baptize half the earth with his own dishonest name".

The New York Times - Magazine

HALF the Earth is up for grabs in the culmination of a long-running dispute between rich nations and poor ones.

The New York Times - Science

The Tyrannosaurus bowed their heads reverently, for they had travelled half the Earth to find this sanctuary: a place where they could live as they wished, and observe their rigid interpretation of Christianity, and wear floppy hats with buckles on them without criticism or recrimination.

The New Yorker

Seeking inspiration, he leafed through the magazine section of a recent Sunday Times, where his eye was caught by an article suggesting that there was enough latent energy in a tumbler of water, if man could ever figure out a way of harnessing it, to blow up half the earth.

The New Yorker

Climate Hot Times Ahead Researchers at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, calculated that by about 2047 the average temperature over half the earth's surface will be higher than in any year between 1860 and 2005.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

One proposition is called Half Earth - make half of the earth just for nature.

BBC

A calf, bright oil-drum black, blissful, at hot roost, front legs folded in the shitty mud, and eyes rolled back, smiling hugely - he's a deformed fairy, or drugged, ecstatic dragon, landed half-on, half-in the earth.

The Guardian - Books

Most of the ocean, amounting to nearly half of the earth's surface, belongs to no individual country.

The New York Times

Some people might try to perpetuate their society by recruiting people from the fertile half of the earth.

The New York Times

There the CO2 plunges a kilometer and a half below the earth's surface into thick, stubborn oil deposits.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half the earth", ensure the context is clear whether you're referring to surface area, population, or some other measurable aspect. For clarity, specify what you are halving, e.g., "half the earth's surface" or "half the earth's population".

Common error

Avoid using "half the earth" loosely without considering the specific context. It's imprecise to say "half the earth supports agriculture" without clarifying whether you mean land area suitable for farming or the proportion of global agricultural output.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half the earth" typically functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a correct and usable phrase to denote a significant part of the planet. Examples in Ludwig show its use in discussions related to geography, population, and environmental concerns.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "half the earth" is a commonly used noun phrase that accurately refers to a significant portion of the planet. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in discussions related to geography, environment, and global impact. Its usage spans neutral to formal registers, appearing frequently in news, academic writing, and scientific reports. When using the phrase, it's important to consider the specific aspect being halved, whether it's surface area, population, or resources. Common alternatives include "half the planet" and "half the globe".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

half the globe

Replaces "earth" with "globe", a synonym, to denote the planet.

half the planet

Substitutes "earth" with "planet", another synonym, maintaining the intended meaning.

50% of the earth

Expresses the same quantity using a percentage, offering a more numerical approach.

a significant portion of the earth

Replaces "half" with a more general term indicating a large part, lessening precision.

a large section of the earth

Similar to the above, but uses "section" to denote a geographical area.

a considerable area of the earth

Focuses on the extent of land or surface being referenced.

a substantial part of the world

Broadens the scope slightly by using "world" instead of "earth".

a major region of the earth

Highlights a geographical aspect, suitable when discussing regions.

one hemisphere of the earth

More technically defines "half" in terms of hemispheres.

a sizable expanse of the earth

Emphasizes the vastness of the area being discussed.

FAQs

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

You can use "half the earth" to refer to a significant portion of the planet's surface, population, or resources. For example, "Scientists predict that climate change will impact "half the earth's" arable land by 2050".

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "half the planet", "half the globe", or "a significant portion of the earth".

Is it correct to say "half of the earth" or "half the earth"?

Both "half of the earth" and "half the earth" are grammatically correct and commonly used. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, although "half the earth" is often preferred for brevity.

What does it mean to say something affects "half the earth"?

Saying something affects "half the earth" implies a widespread or global impact, influencing a substantial portion of the planet. This could refer to geographical area, population, or any measurable aspect.