less than half of

USAGE SUMMARY

"less than half of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You may use it when referring to a portion or amount that is not a majority of the whole. For example: "Less than half of the students in the classroom raised their hands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Less than half of half the electorate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Opponents raised less than half of that.

The New York Times

Slightly less than half of Republicans agreed.

The Washington Post

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

The New York Times

Now, women buy for less than half of them.

The New York Times

Today that figure is less than half of 1%.

The Guardian

Less than half of eligible voters voted in 2013.

The Guardian

That is less than half of 1percentt of G.D.P.

The New York Times

Less than half of this meat is produced industrially.

The New York Times

Mr Netanyahu's Likud occupied less than half of the cabinet.

The Guardian

They have a population less than half of London's.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For emphasis, follow "less than half of" with specific numbers or percentages to provide a clearer understanding of the actual quantity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that something being "less than half of" automatically makes it unimportant. Context matters, and even a minority portion can be crucial in certain situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than half of" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating a proportion or amount that is smaller than one-half of a whole. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, such as describing election results, financial figures, or population statistics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less than half of" is a versatile and frequently used phrase for indicating a quantity smaller than 50%. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it appears across diverse contexts, from news reporting to scientific research, maintaining a neutral register. Ludwig AI confirms that its use is grammatically correct and serves to communicate that a certain portion is not a majority. When writing, ensure the 'whole' is clearly defined for clarity. While this phrase indicates a minority, remember that context determines significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Less than fifty percent of

This is a more explicit, numerical way of expressing the same concept.

Under half of

This alternative uses 'under' to convey a quantity less than half, which can be more concise.

Not up to half of

This alternative uses 'not up to' to indicate a quantity that does not reach the halfway point.

A minority of

This phrase emphasizes that the quantity represents a smaller, non-dominant portion.

A small percentage of

This phrase explicitly uses the concept of percentage to convey the small proportion.

Smaller part of

This phrase focuses on the size of the portion in relation to the whole.

Below the midpoint of

This alternative highlights the position of the quantity relative to a defined midpoint.

A fraction of

This implies a small and unspecified part of the total.

Incomplete half of

This phrase emphasizes that the half is not whole or complete.

Partial section of

This alternative highlights a section that is not whole or complete.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "less than half of" in a sentence?

You can replace "less than half of" with phrases such as "under half of", "a minority of", or "smaller part of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more formal to say "less than 50% of" instead of "less than half of"?

Using "less than 50% of" provides a numerical precision that can be more suitable in formal or scientific contexts. However, "less than half of" is generally acceptable in most situations.

What's the difference between "less than half of" and "more than half of"?

"Less than half of" indicates a quantity that is smaller than 50% of the total, while "more than half of" indicates a quantity greater than 50%.

When should I use "less than half of" instead of "few" or "some"?

Use "less than half of" when you want to be more precise about the quantity being smaller than 50%. "Few" or "some" are less specific and do not convey a clear proportion.