half the number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half the number of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing quantities or expressing a mathematical relationship. Example: "If there are 20 apples, then half the number of apples is 10."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

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

"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

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

The New York Times

The association estimates the number of unlicensed companies at half the number of licensed ones.

The New York Times

"That's about 20 boxes, half the number of imperial Easter eggs," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

"I'd say there is half the number of players now than there was a year ago.

The Guardian - Business

This represented exactly half the number of times, 36, on which he reached 50.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half the number of", ensure the context clearly defines what the 'number' refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "reduce the budget by half the number of employees", specify "reduce the budget by half the number of employees, assuming each employee's cost is equal."

Common error

Avoid using "half the number of" when you actually mean a proportional change. For example, don't say "The new policy reduced errors by half the number of previous errors" if the error reduction wasn't exactly 50%. Instead, use phrases like "significantly reduced" or "nearly halved" to indicate an approximate change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half the number of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a quantity that is one-half of a particular amount. It modifies a noun, indicating a proportional reduction or division. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "half the number of" is a versatile phrase used to express a quantity equal to 50% of another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, it's important to provide clear context to what the term "number" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. Consider using alternative phrases such as "50 percent of" or "one half of" for variety or emphasis. Overall, "half the number of" is a reliable and common way to convey proportional relationships in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

half as many

Simplifies the phrase for quicker communication, mainly used in speech.

half the quantity of

Replaces "number" with the more general term "quantity", suitable for uncountable items.

approximately half the number of

Adds a level of approximation, indicating it's not an exact half.

half the total of

Substitutes "number" with "total", focusing on the sum or aggregate.

50% of the number of

Uses percentage to express the same proportion, adding a numerical specificity.

50 percent of the total

Similar to "50% of the number of" but uses "total" to emphasize a cumulative amount.

one half of the count of

Rephrases "half" as "one half" and "number" as "count", providing a slightly more formal tone.

a reduction of 50% in the number of

Emphasizes the reduction aspect, useful when discussing decreases.

a half share of the number of

Implies a division or allotment of a quantity into two equal parts.

a moiety of the amount of

Uses "moiety", a less common term for half, and "amount" instead of "number", making it sound more technical.

FAQs

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

You can use "half the number of" to indicate a quantity that is 50% of another. For example, "We need "half the number of" staff to complete the project efficiently."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "50 percent of", "one half of", or simply "half as many" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "less than half the number of"?

Yes, "less than half the number of" is grammatically correct. It indicates a quantity that is smaller than 50% of a given amount. For example, "Less than half the number of applicants were qualified for the position."

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

The phrases "half the number of" and "half of the number of" are often used interchangeably and generally mean the same thing. The omission of "of" is common in modern usage and doesn't change the meaning.