half the quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half the quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a comparison between two items. For example: "I only need half the quantity of ingredients for this recipe than I do for the other one."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

So Coca-Cola and Poland Spring could just agree to produce half the quantity of water each.

Yale University

If you don't have any fresh lemon verbena leaves, use half the quantity of dried leaves, or grab some mint instead.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You need only half the quantity of pastry here, so save the rest – just wrap the excess in clingfilm and chill or freeze until needed (it'll keep for at least a month in the freezer).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is about half the quantity currently recommended in the UK.

BBC

The data show that heterodimeric WT/Y382F has approximately half the quantity of reactive TPQs of the WT/WT AGAO.

ChemBioChem

Well, you remember you can use baking soda, but do you double or half the quantity?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

If you want to make a smaller cake, half the quantities, use a 16cm cake tin and bake for 60 70 minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The number of promotions has been cut in half and the quantity of incoming Foreign Service officers by more than two-thirds.

The Washington Post

In India, for example, and other developing countries, the UN has calculated that the spoiling of edible foods means that as little as half of the quantity produced makes it to market in an edible condition.

The Guardian

This is coherent with the fact that MC18_28 has half of the quantity of 18 °C PCM when compared with MC18.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

The size of information is N = 25,600, the request of every subsection perception tests M = 1024, the superpose level of every subsection information is half, and the quantity of subsection is K = 2N/M − 1 = 49.

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When adjusting recipes, use "half the quantity" to accurately reduce all ingredients proportionally.

Common error

Avoid using "half the quantity" when you actually need a different proportion. Ensure the halved amount truly matches the desired proportion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half the quantity" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun (quantity) to specify an amount that is one-half of the total. Ludwig indicates that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "half the quantity" is a grammatically sound and generally accepted way to refer to 50% of a certain amount. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase appears across diverse fields, including science, news, and academia. When writing, ensure that the halved amount is what you intend to express. For similar meanings, consider alternatives such as "50% of the quantity" or "one-half of the amount". These alternatives provide similar clarity while offering variety in expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

50% of the quantity

Expresses the same proportion using a percentage.

One-half of the amount

Replaces "quantity" with the synonym "amount".

A portion equal to fifty percent

Uses a more descriptive way to define 'half'.

A moiety of the quantity

Uses a less common term ('moiety') for 'half', making it more formal.

Fifty percent less of the quantity

Focuses on the percentage reduction from the full quantity.

Halve the amount

Expresses the action of halving, directly impacting the amount.

Reduced by fifty percent

Focuses on the reduction aspect rather than the resulting amount.

Half the volume

Specifies 'volume' as the aspect being halved.

Cut the quantity in two

Emphasizes the action of dividing the quantity.

A diminished quantity

Highlights that the amount has been reduced, but doesn't explicitly state by half.

FAQs

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

You can use "half the quantity" to describe a reduced amount. For example, "If you only need a small batch, use "half the quantity" of ingredients listed in the recipe."

What's a more formal way to say "half the quantity"?

A more formal alternative would be "50% of the quantity" or "one-half of the amount". These phrases maintain a professional tone, especially suitable for scientific or business contexts.

Is it always appropriate to use "half the quantity" in recipes?

While "half the quantity" is generally correct, ensure that halving all ingredients maintains the correct ratios and doesn't negatively impact the final result. Some ingredients might require slight adjustments for optimal results.

What is the difference between "half the quantity" and "half of the quantity"?

The phrases are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. However, "half of the quantity" might sound slightly more emphatic or descriptive compared to ""half the quantity"".