less than half

USAGE SUMMARY

"less than half" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are comparing two or more things that can be divided into halves, particularly when you are saying that one thing is smaller than the other. For example: "Less than half of the students passed the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

2. Be Realistic - Assume Less Than Half Is Yours.

Huffington Post

The theatre was less than half full.

The Economist

But less than half has been spent.

The Economist

"I've used less than half of that".

The New York Times

Less than half of half the electorate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Opponents raised less than half of that.

The New York Times

Less than half get their degrees.

The New York Times

It remains less than half contained.

The New York Times

Most hotels are less than half full.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Their denials are less than half-hearted..

The New Yorker

Their denials are less than half-hearted...

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "less than half" with specific data or statistics to provide a clearer picture of the quantity or proportion you're describing.

Common error

Avoid using "less than half" without clearly defining what constitutes the 'whole'. For instance, instead of saying "Less than half agreed", specify "Less than half of the participants agreed" to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than half" functions as a determiner or quantifier, indicating a proportion smaller than 50% of a given whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly employed. Examples from Ludwig show its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less than half" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to indicate a quantity or proportion that is smaller than 50% of a whole. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, its neutral tone makes it versatile across various writing styles. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the 'whole' is well-defined. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "under half" or "below fifty percent" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less than fifty percent

Directly states the percentage threshold.

under fifty percent

A more succinct version using percentage.

under half

Emphasizes the quantity being below the halfway point.

not even half

Emphasizes the quantity being significantly below half.

not up to half

Highlights that the quantity doesn't reach the halfway mark.

below fifty percent

Specifies the proportion using percentage.

a minority

Indicates a smaller group or portion.

smaller part

Highlights that the quantity is a small piece of the total.

a fraction

Implies a small, unspecified portion of the whole.

a scant portion

Suggests a small and insufficient amount.

FAQs

How can I use "less than half" in a sentence?

You can use "less than half" to indicate that an amount or quantity is smaller than 50% of a whole. For example, "Less than half of the students passed the test."

What's a more formal way to say "less than half"?

In formal contexts, consider using "under fifty percent" or "a minority" as alternatives to "less than half".

What are some synonyms for "less than half"?

Synonyms include "under half", "below fifty percent", or "a minority", depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "less than half"?

While generally acceptable, ensure clarity in your writing by specifying what the 'whole' refers to. For instance, instead of "Less than half were satisfied", clarify with "Less than half of the customers were satisfied".