half working

USAGE SUMMARY

'half working' is not an acceptable phrase in written English.
A more appropriate phrase would be "partially functioning". For example, "The printer was only partially functioning, so I had to contact tech support to get it working again."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Indirect care costs associated with lost productivity of the caregiver were calculated from estimates of reduced working hours per month and the loss of full and half working days per month.

ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research

Friday doesn't work either, because it's the beginning of Shabbat and so only a half working day.

The New York Times

We'll be spending the next week and a half working in Santo Antonio, spending the nights in Sao Paulo.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And Hagen has been on leave for a year and a half, working from his home in Utah.

Princeton University

And this from a studio that took a decade and a half working out how to bring back Jurassic Park.

The Guardian - Film

The wunderkinder and people they recruited spent a year and a half working in complete obscurity, assembling a statewide organization.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

After the turkey has come and gone, they have only three-and-a-half working weeks left before the Christmas break.

The Economist

About one-quarter of their mothers did not work outside the home, with one-quarter working part-time and one-half working full-time.

Environmental Health Perspectives

On the street's southern half, working-class Italian and Irish families live above their stores.

The New York Times

The two cofounders then spent a year-and-a-half working on a prototype, while receiving advice from senior executives at Dropcam and GoPro.

Forbes

In high school, Colin Levy spent a year-and-a-half working on a five-minute short film.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the functionality of an object or system, consider using more precise terms like "partially functional" or "intermittently working" instead of "half working".

Common error

The phrase "half working" can be vague. To improve clarity, replace it with a more descriptive term that specifically defines the level or type of functionality. For example, instead of "half working", you could say "partially functional" or "intermittently working."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "half working" typically functions as a descriptor, indicating that something is not fully operational or that someone is working less than full-time. Ludwig AI flags this expression as not being acceptable in formal written English, suggesting alternatives for improved clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

21%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "half working" is frequently used to describe something partially functional or someone working part-time. However, Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as not being ideal for formal writing. Although widely present across diverse sources like news, academia, and even formal business contexts, alternative terms like "partially functional", "intermittently working", or "part-time employment" offer improved clarity and grammatical correctness. For best practices, aim for precise language over colloquial expressions in formal writing situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially functional

Emphasizes that something is not fully working or is only operating to some extent.

partially operational

Indicates something is in service but not completely or effectively.

semi-functional

Implies a state where something is only functional to a limited degree.

partially in service

Similar to partially operational, but focuses on the aspect of being available for use.

part-time employment

Refers specifically to a work arrangement where someone works fewer hours than a full-time employee.

partially effective

Highlights the incomplete success or impact of something.

moderately working

Describes a state where functionality exists, but at a reduced level.

intermittently working

Suggests that the operation is not consistent or reliable.

reduced hours

Indicates fewer working hours than the standard or previously assigned amount.

split shift

Refers to a work schedule divided into two or more distinct periods with unpaid time in between.

FAQs

What does "half working" mean?

The phrase "half working" generally means something is only partially functional or someone is working part-time. However, it's not considered standard English, so it's better to use clearer alternatives.

What can I say instead of "half working"?

You can use alternatives like "partially functional", "intermittently working", or "part-time" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "half working"?

While understandable, "half working" isn't considered grammatically correct or formal. Using more precise terms like "partially functional" or "semi-functional" is preferred for better clarity and adherence to standard English.

How can I use "partially functional" in a sentence?

You might say, "The printer is partially functional; it prints, but the scanner doesn't work". This is a clearer and more grammatically sound way to express the idea than "half working".