halve the amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "halve the amount" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something should be reduced to half of its current quantity. Example: "To make the recipe more manageable, you should halve the amount of sugar used."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The author is unknown.You may halve the amount of oil if you find it alarming.

The New York Times

If you prefer a milder pickle, you can halve the amount of flakes.

The New York Times - Food

In so doing, they could more than halve the amount of electricity needed to run the city.

The New York Times - Arts

The measures are part of wider drive to halve the amount of food waste in France by 2025.

The Guardian

If we could eliminate waste, we would halve the amount of new food we need to produce by 2050.

The Guardian

"In other words, halve the amount of discretionary food you eat and double your vegetable intake," she said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Halving the amount invested in housing since 2010?

Independent

Halving the amount of salt in the diet, says the AMA, would save 150,000 lives annually in the United States alone.

The Economist

The rules would have also halved the amount of sodium in school meals over the next 10 years.

The New York Times

And the rules would have halved the amount of sodium in school meals gradually over 10 years.

The New York Times

Late last week a new patch updated various issues with the troubled multiplayer mode, but also halved the amount gamers could make from repeat missions.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When adjusting recipes, use "halve the amount" to ensure proportions are maintained, preventing imbalances in flavor or texture.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "halve the amount" linearly affects all aspects; some components might require different adjustments to maintain overall quality or balance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "halve the amount" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of reducing a quantity by half. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Examples show it modifying various nouns, such as "oil", "electricity", or "food waste".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

23%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "halve the amount" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a reduction by 50%. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across various contexts, predominantly in news, science, and general instructional materials. While generally neutral in tone, its specific use depends on the context, often relating to efficiency, health, or resource management. Remember to consider the proportional impact on related elements when halving quantities in any situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reduce the quantity by half

Emphasizes the reduction in quantity, adding a degree of formality.

Cut the quantity in half

More informal and direct, focusing on a physical reduction.

Decrease the amount by 50 percent

More precise and statistical, suitable for technical contexts.

Diminish the quantity by half

Adds a sense of gradual reduction, slightly more formal.

Reduce by fifty percent

Direct and concise, useful in contexts where the object is already known.

Divide the quantity in two

Mathematically oriented, focusing on the division aspect.

Lower the amount by half

Simple and straightforward, suitable for general use.

Scale down the amount by 50%

Suggests a proportional reduction, common in business or design contexts.

Bring down the quantity by half

More conversational, implies active intervention to reduce the quantity.

Lessen the quantity by half

Emphasizes a decrease in size or importance, slightly more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "halve the amount" in a sentence?

You can use "halve the amount" to describe reducing a quantity by 50%. For example, "To reduce the sugar content, "halve the amount" of sugar in the recipe".

What phrases are similar to "halve the amount"?

Similar phrases include "reduce the quantity by half", "cut the quantity in half", or "decrease the amount by 50 percent".

Is it always appropriate to "halve the amount" of an ingredient in a recipe?

While "halve the amount" is a straightforward reduction, consider the ingredient's function. Some ingredients, like leavening agents, may require proportional adjustments to maintain the desired outcome.

How does "halve the amount" differ from simply saying "reduce the amount"?

"Halve the amount" specifies a 50% reduction, whereas "reduce the amount" is a more general term that doesn't specify the degree of reduction.