half the globe

USAGE SUMMARY

'half the globe' is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to refer to approximately half of the world's population or surface area. For example: "The internet now reaches half the globe, making it easier than ever to share information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

And yet Peace Corps volunteers are often safer in the huts and villages of half the globe than in our own cities or college campuses.

The New York Times

A Canadian-born British lord, he started his empire with a pair of weekly newspapers in Quebec and expanded it to span half the globe.

The New York Times

"Why are we sitting around passively waiting until new diseases infect half the globe?" Wolfe compares the current approach to infectious epidemics to the treatment of cardiovascular disease in the nineteen-sixties.

The New Yorker

Over the past two years, we led this Nation through the toughest series of disasters ever experienced — our mission spanning half the globe," Long wrote in his farewell letter.

The Washington Post

To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required - not because the communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right.

The Guardian

Perhaps that's why William Hazlitt wrote that revisiting books can "transport us, not over half the globe but (which is better) over half our lives, at a word's notice!" By the end of college, standing in my bedroom and turning my head from left to right could transport me across my entire reading life.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The top half of the globe is exposed.

The New York Times - Tech

But compared to the wealth held by the richer half of the globe, it's peanuts.

The Washington Post

Today, more than half of the globe's out-of-school children — 39 million — live in war-torn countries.

The New York Times

Instead it has everything to do with the half of the globe where to be female is to be persecuted until, often, death.

The New York Times

Yet for governments, they remain a coveted status symbol, a global affirmation of a country's place in the monied half of the globe.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "half the globe", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a geographical area, a population segment, or some other quantifiable aspect of the world.

Common error

Avoid using "half the globe" when a more precise geographical description is needed. For instance, specify "the southern hemisphere" or "the northern latitudes" if the context is geographically specific.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half the globe" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a geographical reference, denoting a significant portion of the Earth's surface. It can also function adjectivally by describing the degree or amount of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "half the globe" is a noun phrase that functions to describe a significant geographical extent or a large proportion of the world's population. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media sources, academia, and encyclopedias, indicating its utility across various contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to use precise language when referring to specific regions or populations. Alternatives like "half the world" offer similar meaning. When writing, ensure that the context clarifies whether you’re referring to geography or population.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

half the world

Replaces "globe" with "world", maintaining the same geographical scope.

a considerable part of the planet

Employs "planet" instead of "globe" and "considerable" for a general large extent.

a significant portion of the earth

Uses a more descriptive phrase to indicate a large area, reducing direct similarity.

a substantial area of the world

Focuses on "area" with a more formal tone, slightly altering the emphasis.

a large fraction of the earth's surface

Specifies "surface" to emphasize area, making it less direct than the original.

a large part of the global landscape

Replaces "globe" with "global landscape", adding a descriptive element.

much of the earth

Simplifies the phrase to indicate a large, unspecified portion of the Earth.

a major segment of the Earth

Substitutes "segment" for "half", implying a division without precise quantification.

a widespread area across the globe

Emphasizes the spread and scope rather than the specific quantity.

a dominant section of the world

Highlights the dominance and size, moving away from a precise numerical division.

FAQs

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

You can use "half the globe" to describe a significant portion of the Earth, as in "The disease spread across "half the globe" in a matter of weeks."

What is a more formal way to say "half the globe"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "a significant portion of the earth" or "a substantial area of the world" instead of ""half the globe"."

Is it accurate to use "half the globe" to describe population?

While ""half the globe"" can refer to people, ensure the context is clear. It's generally better to specify "half the world's population" for clarity.

What's the difference between "half the globe" and "half the world"?

The phrases ""half the globe"" and "half the world" are largely interchangeable. "Globe" emphasizes the spherical nature of the Earth, while "world" is more general.