last half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "last half" is correct and usable in written English
It is used to refer to the second half of an entity or period of time, usually after it has been divided into two halves. For example, "We will focus on the last half of the project in the next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The last one was in 1989.

The Economist

His record - two cups within six months of his appointment, a domestic treble in his first full season, a second title in 2005 and reaching the last 16 of the Champions League - set the context for a rueful but masterfully understated parting comment: "I'm sure those people who look at the facts will say that during a period of downsizing, I was reasonably successful".

The Guardian - Sport

The order book was down slightly at £3.6bn from the last update in June but well ahead of the £3.3bn reported this time last year.

The Guardian - Business

Last year, during David Cameron's trip to Beijing, the same paper announced that Britain was "just an old European country apt [that is, suitable] for travel and study".

The Guardian - Opinion

Referred to in court as D, she entered a not guilty plea to a charge of intimidation last week while wearing a niqab after the judge backed down from a previous decision that she would have to show her face to be properly identified.

The Guardian

As a result, the country lost a further 21 positions in the policy evaluation compared to last year, thus replacing Canada as the worst-performing industrial country".

The Guardian

"Scoring is not up, but injuries are up," Tallon said of the current rule last week.

The New York Times

Since last July the state has opted to use just one massive dose of the sedative pentobarbital as its lethal injection, instead of a cocktail of three different drugs.

The Guardian

Last summer the Electoral Commission said 7.5 million eligible voters were not registered, with poor, black and young people least likely to be on the electoral roll.

The Guardian

The shares have underperformed the market by 6% in the last three months and now trade at a discount to the oil service peers.

The Guardian - Business

This was the second time in seven months that Hill has come close to the death chamber: last July he was spared by just 90 minutes and the experience was repeated on Tuesday night with just 30 minutes to go.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "last half", ensure it's clear what is being divided. For instance, "the last half of the game" or "the last half of the book" provides necessary context.

Common error

Avoid using "last half" without specifying what is being referenced. Saying "the last half was difficult" lacks clarity. Instead, specify the context: "the last half of the marathon was difficult."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "last half" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It designates the concluding portion of something that is divided into two parts. While Ludwig provides examples of "last year", "last week", and "last summer", there are no direct examples of the phrase "last half". However, Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "last half" is grammatically correct and understandable, though direct examples are currently unavailable in Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase to refer to the concluding portion of something divided into two parts. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, its absence in current examples highlights a need for contextual awareness when using it. Related phrases such as ""second half"" and "final part" provide alternative options. Ensure clarity by specifying what is being divided when using the phrase. Its register is generally neutral, and, based on current data, its frequency appears to be low.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

second half

Focuses specifically on division into two equal parts.

latter portion

Emphasizes the time aspect, suggesting a concluding segment.

final part

Highlights the conclusion or end.

concluding segment

Formally indicates the terminal division.

terminal section

More technical term indicating the final segment.

end phase

Specifically refers to the ending stage of a process.

closing stages

Suggests the progression of reaching the end.

final stretch

Idiomatically indicates nearing the completion.

last quarter

Specifically refers to a division into four parts.

tail end

Informally refers to the very end of something.

FAQs

How can I use "last half" in a sentence?

You can use "last half" to refer to the final portion of something, for example, "The team performed better in the "second half" of the game" or "The "latter portion" of the book was more engaging."

What can I say instead of "last half"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as ""second half"", "final part", or "concluding segment".

Is it more appropriate to say "second half" or "last half"?

While both "last half" and ""second half"" are generally interchangeable when referring to something divided into two, ""second half"" is more common. "Last half" might be preferred for emphasis or when referring to the final portion of something more generally.

What's the difference between "last half" and "final third"?

"Last half" refers to the concluding 50% of something, while "final third" refers to the concluding 33.33%. Use "final third" when the entity is divided into three parts rather than two.