half the number

USAGE SUMMARY

"half the number" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to approximately half of any given number. For example, "I have around half the number of apples as before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But as fires increased by more than half, the number of firefighters decreased by a third.

The New York Times

Note: this period contains the half the number of articles of previous periods.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Khodro is producing only half the number of taxis promised.

The Economist

However, less than half the number of eligible players voted.

The New York Times - Sports

Pastures without trees had less than half the number of ant species in pastures with trees.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

In addition the implemented technique uses half the number of capacitors compared to similar designs.

Microelectronics Journal

"When you fly for a year, you're getting essentially half the number of subjects".

The New York Times - Science

That meant half the number of potential customers for The American Tobacco Company.

The Guardian

But that total is still fewer than half the number estimated five years ago.

The New York Times

The automaker has about 30 vehicle platforms, fewer than half the number at Toyota.

The New York Times

The South Ferry carries even more vehicles and about half the number of passengers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half the number", ensure clarity regarding what the number refers to. Provide context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "half the number" without clearly specifying the original number. For example, instead of saying "sales decreased to half the number", clarify "sales decreased to half the number from last quarter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half the number" functions as a quantifier, specifying an amount that is equivalent to 50% of a given quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "half the number" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate a quantity equivalent to 50% of a given amount. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It appears commonly in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While there are alternative phrases, such as "half the amount" or "50% of the number", the key is to ensure clarity regarding the reference number to avoid any ambiguity. Proper use of "half the number" ensures effective communication when conveying proportions and numerical changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

half the quantity

Focuses on the amount rather than a count.

fifty percent of the amount

Expresses the same concept using a percentage.

one half of the total

Rephrases using "one half" instead of "half".

a moiety of the count

Uses the more formal term "moiety".

half the amount

Simplifies the phrase by omitting "number".

approximately 50% of the count

Adds approximation to the percentage.

a portion equivalent to 50%

Uses 'portion' to represent the amount.

a comparable reduction of 50 percent

Indicates a direct comparison between the numbers.

a fractional amount equaling 50%

Uses 'fractional amount' for a numerical value.

substantially fewer

Implies a significant decrease without specifying the exact amount.

FAQs

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

You can use "half the number" to indicate a quantity that is 50% of a specified total. For example, "We received "half the number" of applications this year compared to last year".

What's a simpler way to say "half the number"?

Alternatives include "half the amount", "50% of the number", or simply "half". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "half the number"?

While grammatically correct, using "half the number" can be unclear if the reference number isn't explicitly stated. Always ensure the original number is clear to avoid confusion.

What's the difference between "half the number" and "a half of the number"?

"Half the number" is the standard and more concise way to express 50% of a specific quantity. "A half of the number" is grammatically correct, but less common and can sound awkward.