in the second half

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the second half" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been divided into two parts; for example, "In the second half of the book, the author focuses on the economic impact of the policy change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

BBC

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the second half, Southampton were transformed.

Independent

Auburn didn't score in the second half.

The New York Times

In the second half, Altidore was relentless.

The New York Times

In the second half he improved greatly.

The New York Times

In the second half we were terrific.

Independent

We played better in the second half".

Independent

The moment arrived in the second half.

The New York Times - Sports

In the second half, things changed.

The New Yorker

In the second half, Chelsea took control.

Independent

The teams traded touchdowns in the second half.

The New York Times - Sports

They showed glimpses in the second half Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the second half", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes the 'whole'. For example, specify 'in the second half of the game' or 'in the second half of the year' to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "in the second half" without clearly establishing what the two halves constitute. Without context, it's unclear what is being divided, leading to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the second half" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when something occurs. It indicates the timing of an event within the latter portion of a defined period. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe changes, improvements, or actions taken during this time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

BBC

22%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the second half" is a common and grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to specify timing within the latter portion of a divided period. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news, media, and sports contexts, it serves to provide temporal context and indicate the time of an event. While alternatives exist, such as "during the latter portion" or "in the final part", "in the second half" remains a clear and effective choice, emphasizing the time that follows the central time. The phrase is considered as neutral, but the writing should establish the context to what the "half" references to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the second portion

Replaces "half" with "portion", maintaining the sense of a division into parts.

during the last half

Swaps "second" with "last" but keeping the meaning tied to the final part.

in the final part

Focuses on the concluding section without specifying it as the "second" part.

during the latter portion

Replaces "half" with "portion" and "second" with "latter", focusing on the latter part of something.

in the second stage

Replaces "half" with "stage", focusing on the second phase of a process.

in the latter stage

Replaces "half" with "stage", indicating a phase later in a process or event.

in the latter section

Similar to "latter portion", indicating the later part of something divided.

during the subsequent part

Uses "subsequent part" to indicate the section that follows the first.

during the final segment

Substitutes "second half" with "final segment", emphasizing the concluding part.

in the concluding period

Uses "concluding period" instead of "second half", highlighting the end phase of something.

FAQs

What does "in the second half" mean?

The phrase "in the second half" refers to the latter portion of something that is divided into two equal or roughly equal parts. This could apply to time, a game, a book, or any other entity that can be conceptually split in two.

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

You can use "in the second half" to describe events or changes that occur during the latter part of something. For example, "In the second half, the team improved their performance significantly."

What are some alternatives to saying "in the second half"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "during the latter portion", "in the final part", or "during the last half" to convey a similar meaning.

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

Yes, "during the second half" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to "in the second half". Both phrases convey the same meaning and are grammatically correct.