halving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "halving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the action of dividing something into two equal parts or reducing something by half. Example: "The recipe calls for halving the amount of sugar to make it less sweet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While I cut my home energy bills, I miserably failed in halving my annual mileage despite trying to take the train where possible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An unbelievably convenient boost to demand in this country – and indeed to all economies that are major importers of oil – has come in the nick of electoral time from the halving of the world price of crude.

The Guardian - Business

The halving of the oil price is reflationary: it boosts demand and should in due course have a beneficent effect on productivity.

The Guardian - Business

The halving of the oil price affords western economies a macroeconomic opportunity.

The Guardian - Business

Shapps was accused by Labour and Liberal Democrats of adopting a patronising attitude to voters after he tweeted a colour photograph which highlighted the halving of bingo duty to 10% and the 1p cut in beer duty in the budget.

The Guardian

If the emissions from the GVK and Adani mines did not go ahead, then this would be the equivalent of Australia suddenly halving its annual greenhouse footprint.

The Guardian - Opinion

In fact the halving of the price of oil has been due to an old-fashioned economic concept: the law of supply and demand.

The Guardian - Business

Even with the halving of the price of oil, the kingdom has foreign reserves of $740 billion.

The Economist

The outbreak of the first world war siphoned off much of the money earmarked for Canberra, forcing the committee overseeing construction to compensate by halving the projected size of the city.

The Economist

Scotland is considering halving the tax if it receives the devolved power to do so.

The Economist

By the same token, the benefits that would come from ending subsidies include a halving of the death toll caused by outdoor air pollution and a cut of CO{-2} emissions by a fifth.A previous study in 2013 reckoned the overall cost of fuel subsidies, including environmental harm, was $2 trillion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about quantitative data, clearly specify what is being halved to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "halving the cost," specify "halving the production cost".

Common error

Ensure that the base value for "halving" is clearly understood by the reader. For example, if a budget is reduced from $100 to $50, make it explicit that the $50 reduction represents "halving" the original $100 budget.

Linguistic Context

The term "halving" functions primarily as a gerund or present participle, often describing an ongoing action or process of dividing something into two equal parts or reducing it by half. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "halving" is a versatile term used to describe the action of reducing something by half or dividing it into two equal parts. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various domains, including news, business, and science. While maintaining a neutral register, "halving" effectively conveys quantitative reductions, although it's vital to ensure clarity regarding the base value and the context in which it's used. Consider alternatives like "reducing by half" for more formal settings. Ludwig's examples underscore its relevance in discussions ranging from economic strategies to environmental goals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reducing by half

This alternative directly states the action of decreasing something to 50% of its original value.

cutting in half

This alternative emphasizes the act of physically or figuratively dividing something into two equal portions.

dividing by two

This alternative uses mathematical terminology to describe the action of splitting something into two.

decreasing by 50%

This alternative provides a precise percentage reduction, making it suitable for quantitative contexts.

splitting in two

This alternative highlights the separation of something into two distinct parts.

bifurcating

This alternative uses a more technical term to describe the division into two branches or parts.

downsizing by fifty percent

This alternative emphasizes the reduction in size or scale by half.

bisecting

This alternative suggests dividing something into two equal parts, often used in geometry.

moderating

This alternative suggests softening the number

tempering

This alternative indicates decreasing the quantity

FAQs

How is "halving" typically used in a sentence?

"Halving" is often used to describe the action of reducing something by 50% or dividing it into two equal parts. For example, "The company aimed at "reducing costs by half"" or "The recipe involves "cutting the ingredients in half"".

What are some alternatives to the word "halving"?

Alternatives to "halving" include phrases like "reducing by half", "cutting in half", or "dividing by two". The choice depends on the context and the level of formality required.

When is it appropriate to use "halving" instead of "reducing by half"?

"Halving" is suitable in most contexts where you want to express a 50% reduction or division. "Reducing by half" is a more explicit and formal alternative, useful when precision is necessary or in technical writing.

Is it correct to use "halving" in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "halving" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal or technical writing, using a more precise phrase like "decreasing by 50 percent" might be preferred.