in the first half

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the first half" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: "In the first half of the year, my business revenues increased by 10%."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"In the first half, I was hurt.

The New York Times - Sports

having committed three in the first half.

The New York Times

Muliaina benefited in the first half.

The New York Times - Sports

It was even in the first half.

The New York Times

That was in the first half.

The New York Times - Sports

"So many points in the first half.

The New York Times - Sports

In the first half!

The Guardian - Sport

They led, 14-3, in the first half.

The New York Times - Sports

In the first half, anyway.

The Guardian - Sport

In the first half, Penn looked dead.

The New York Times - Sports

It worked in the first half.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events in chronological order, use "in the first half" to clearly delineate the initial segment, providing a structured timeline for your narrative. For instance: "In the first half of the project, we focused on research and development."

Common error

Avoid using "in the first half" when referring to very short periods. For example, if a meeting lasts only 30 minutes, saying "in the first half" might seem awkward; consider using "early in the meeting" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the first half" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying when an action occurred. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, providing numerous examples of its application across various contexts. It indicates that something happened during the initial portion of a defined period.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

11%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the first half" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed adverbial phrase, as indicated by Ludwig's AI analysis. It effectively specifies that an event transpired during the initial section of a period. Its neutral register renders it suitable for diverse contexts, prominently in News & Media and Academic circles. The phrase is very common, as evidenced by numerous examples, making it a valuable tool for structuring narratives and analyses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the first portion

Emphasizes a quantitative aspect, dividing something into parts, and indicating the first among them.

in the opening stages

Similar to "in the initial stage" and focuses on the starting phase of a process or event.

during the opening period

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of something occurring within an initial span of time.

in the initial stage

Highlights that something occurs during the opening phase of a process or event, often used in a more formal context.

during the early part

Similar to "early on" but more explicitly defines a section of time.

at the beginning

Focuses on the very start of an event or process, rather than a more extended initial section.

early on

Highlights the initial stages of an event, often implying a sense of progression or development.

at the outset

Refers to the very beginning, similar to "at the beginning" but can imply a more decisive starting point.

at the starting point

Focuses on the origin or commencement of something, often used in literal or figurative senses.

at the kickoff

Specifically related to sports events and indicates the immediate start of the game.

FAQs

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

You can use "in the first half" to describe events that occur during the initial part of a specified period. For example: "The team scored two goals "in the first half" of the game.".

What's the difference between "in the first half" and "at the beginning"?

"In the first half" refers to a more extended initial section of a period, whereas "at the beginning" focuses on the very start. "In the first half" implies duration; at the beginning implies a specific point.

Is it correct to say "during the first half" instead of "in the first half"?

Both "in the first half" and "during the first half" are correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on stylistic preference; "during" may emphasize the temporal aspect slightly more.

What can I say instead of "in the first half" if I want to be more specific about time?

You can use phrases like "within the first 30 minutes", "during the opening quarter", or "early in the game" to provide a more precise time frame than just "in the first half".