half the sum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "half the sum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in mathematical contexts or discussions involving calculations where you want to refer to 50% of a total value. Example: "To find the average, you need to calculate half the sum of all the values."

✓ Grammatically correct

Mathematical calculations

Financial discussions

General comparisons

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

The government sent half the sum earmarked for ex-militants to GAM's district leaders.

The Economist

Global financing for malaria control reached an estimated $2.5 billion in 2012, just under half the sum needed each year.

The New York Times

The Telegraph also reported that he claimed £2,100 for a 40in flatscreen television, although the Commons authorities only agreed to pay him for half the sum.

The Guardian

About half the sum would be provided up front and the rest would be disbursed by the end of this year.

The New York Times

About half the sum to settle the case, in United States District Court in New York, will be covered by the firm's insurance and the rest will be paid with cash on hand, the company said in a statement.

The New York Times

Ash said the Blue Jays tried to sign Cone and were prepared to give him close to the $18 million Kansas City offered, but the Royals gave Cone half the sum as a signing bonus.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

The gap between projected revenues and spending during this fiscal year and next amounts to $41.6 billion, which is almost half the total sum that the state expects to raise next year.

The Economist

The cost of bringing up children was heavily influenced by childcare, with full-time childcare accounting for almost half the total sum.

BBC

Measured intensity values I were normalized to the total summed intensity over the profile, ∑ I, and the median cell position was calculated by finding the distance at which the cumulative intensity equaled half the total summed intensity.

Advanced healthcare materials

Blackburn's entire back four cost less than Newcastle paid for Darren Peacock and less than half of the sum required to bring Phil Babb and John Scales to Liverpool.

The Guardian - Sport

Half of the sum will go to his widow, the supermodel Iman, along with the SoHo home they shared in New York.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "half the sum", ensure clarity about what constitutes the 'sum' being referred to, especially in complex contexts. Provide context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "sum" automatically implies a total value. Always ensure the reader understands which specific quantities are being added together to form the 'sum' before halving it. Be explicit to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half the sum" functions primarily as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun (implicit or explicit) to specify a quantity. As illustrated in the examples provided by Ludwig, it commonly introduces a calculated amount.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "half the sum" is a common and grammatically correct way to express 50% of a total quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across varied sources, from news media to scientific publications, suggesting its versatility. While mainly neutral in tone, its precision makes it particularly suitable for formal contexts. When using "half the sum", be sure to clarify the specific quantities being added, ensuring clarity in your communication. Alternatives like "50 percent of the total" or "one half of the aggregate" can be used to vary your phrasing while retaining precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

50 percent of the total

Expresses the same proportion using a percentage instead of a fraction.

one half of the aggregate

Uses "aggregate" as a synonym for "sum", maintaining the mathematical context.

half of the entirety

Replaces "sum" with "entirety", emphasizing the complete amount being halved.

fifty percent of the combined amount

More verbose, clarifies that it's a combination of values being halved.

50% of the overall value

Uses the abbreviation "50%" and substitutes "sum" with "overall value".

a moiety of the whole

Uses the less common term "moiety" (meaning half) and "whole" for sum. A more formal substitute.

one-half of the grand total

Substitutes "sum" with "grand total", emphasizing a complete and final calculation.

the median of the two extremes

Applies specifically when only two values contribute to the sum, representing the average of extremes.

partition the sum into two equal parts

This is a more descriptive phrase expressing the division of the sum.

divide the total by two

Explicitly describes the mathematical operation being performed.

FAQs

What does "half the sum" mean?

The phrase "half the sum" refers to one half, or 50%, of the total amount when two or more numbers or quantities are added together. It's a way of expressing a proportion of a total.

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

You can use "half the sum" when you need to reference a quantity that is exactly 50% of a total amount. For example: "The company agreed to pay "half the sum" immediately, and the rest later."

What are some alternatives to saying "half the sum"?

Alternatives to "half the sum" include phrases like "50 percent of the total", "one half of the aggregate", or "fifty percent of the combined amount".

Is it more appropriate to say "half the sum" or "half of the sum"?

Both "half the sum" and "half of the sum" are grammatically acceptable. "Half the sum" is often preferred for its conciseness, while "half of the sum" might be used for emphasis or in more formal contexts.