half the height of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half the height of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the height of one object to another, indicating that one is 50% of the height of the other. Example: "The new building will be half the height of the original structure, creating a more balanced skyline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It would be about 14 stories, roughly half the height of the nearby Schomburg Plaza.

The New York Times

The concept car's tires stood nearly 29 inches tall, almost half the height of the vehicle.

The New York Times

It once rose to a height of almost 15 metres, half the height of Silbury near Avebury.

The Guardian

Western experts say the IR-2 is roughly half the height of Iran's original machine but spins twice as fast.

The New York Times

Rob, who, like everyone else, was not laughing, pointed out that we were currently at half the height of Mount Everest.

The New York Times - Sports

The moon is almost half the height of the stage, and for some reason is visible (indeed dominant) throughout the ballroom third act.

The New York Times - Arts

This former 13th-century royal capital crafted out of an outcrop half the height of Sigiriya even hosted the Buddha's tooth that's now in Kandy (see above) for a time, though few visitors make it here now.

The Guardian - Travel

The head on such figures was half the height of the whole post; it was shaped like an elongated diamond and had circular eyes, a long nose, and a crescent-shaped mouth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the roped-off intersection, there was too much to see: snakes in grimy glass cages, a panther in a boxcar on wheels weaving from side to side in menace, a bald red wildcat in a harness hissing at passersby, a baby giraffe in a cage half the height of a building.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The temperature and major species results show that partial premixing reduces radial heat and mass transfer in the lower part of the flames, and causes an inner rich premixed flame front to form at one-half the height of the outer flame front.

Combustion and Flame

Godwin was at least one and a half times the height of Benji.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing heights, ensure the objects being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "half the height of the building" rather than just "half the height".

Common error

Avoid using "half the height of" when you actually mean "half as high as". While both relate to height, "half the height of" is used for direct comparisons, while "half as high as" is generally preferred when describing altitude or level relative to a baseline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half the height of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used as an adjective to modify a noun by providing a comparison in terms of vertical dimension. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing the relative height of objects or structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "half the height of" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the proportional relationship between the heights of two objects. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's frequently used in news, science, and general contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in defining the objects being compared. While alternatives like "half as tall as" or "fifty percent of the height of" exist, "half the height of" provides a direct and clear comparison of vertical dimensions. Understanding its function and context ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

half as tall as

Emphasizes the comparison in height using 'as tall as'.

fifty percent of the height of

Provides a direct percentage comparison of height.

one-half the altitude of

Uses 'altitude' instead of 'height', implying vertical distance above a reference point.

half the vertical extent of

Replaces 'height' with 'vertical extent', focusing on the measurement of the vertical dimension.

equivalent to 50% of the height of

Rephrases to emphasize equivalence and uses a direct percentage.

50 percent as high as

Offers a more concise numerical comparison of height.

half the elevation of

Uses 'elevation' instead of 'height', typically in geographical contexts.

50% the vertical size of

Uses "size" instead of "height".

half the rise of

Focuses on vertical increase, suitable when describing slope or ascent.

comparable to half the height of

Indicates a similarity in height, rather than an exact proportion.

FAQs

How do I use "half the height of" in a sentence?

Use "half the height of" when you want to compare the height of one object directly to another, indicating that the first object's height is 50% of the second. For example, "The model is "half the height of" the original building".

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

You can use alternatives like "half as tall as", "fifty percent of the height of", or "one-half the altitude of", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "half as high as" instead of "half the height of"?

Both phrases are generally correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Half the height of" is a more direct comparison of two specific heights. "Half as high as" is used when describing the relative level or altitude. They could be interchangeable, depending on the context.

What's the difference between ""half the height of"" and "half the size of"?

"Half the height of" specifically refers to a vertical dimension. "Half the size of" is more general and could refer to volume, area, or any other measure of magnitude, not just height.