more than a half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'more than a half' is correct and may be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize something that is greater than 50%. For example, "More than a half of my grade in math was made up of tests."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

More than a half century later, I still remember.

The New Yorker

He sat on more than a half dozen corporate boards.

The Washington Post

Moreover, whether the vote of winner candidate is more than a half can be verified directly.

The Journal of China Universities of Posts and Telecommunications

More than a half of the studied herds had problems with manure removal and urine drainage.

Livestock Science

More than a half million people participated in marathons in the United States in 2015.

Yale University

Concussions bring more than a half million youth to emergency departments annually.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The hole was more than a half-metre deep.

The New Yorker

I visited more than a half-dozen museums and galleries.

The New York Times - Travel

The films reach back more than a half-century.

The New York Times - Sports

Been with me for more than a half-dozen years.

The New York Times

More than 9,000 people were killed and more than a half-million homes were destroyed.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, replace "more than a half" with phrases like "exceeding 50%" or "a majority of" for a more sophisticated tone.

Common error

While grammatically sound, the phrase "more than a half" can sound informal in academic or professional writing. Opt for more precise language such as "exceeding 50%" or "a majority" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than a half" functions as a quantifier, indicating that a certain quantity exceeds 50%. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability, evident in diverse examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

40%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "more than a half" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate a proportion exceeding 50%. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is valid and appears across diverse contexts, from scientific publications to news articles. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the context; for formal writing, alternatives like "exceeding 50%" or "a majority" might be preferable. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, "more than a half" effectively conveys proportions, though greater precision may be desired in some cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than fifty percent

Expresses the same quantity using numbers instead of "a half".

over fifty percent

Uses "over" as a synonym for "more than", providing a slightly less formal alternative.

greater than fifty percent

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a direct percentage, offering more precision.

in excess of a half

Employs a more formal tone with "in excess of", suitable for academic or business contexts.

exceeding a half

Replaces "more than" with "exceeding", altering the verb but maintaining the core meaning.

a majority of

Indicates that the quantity is more than half, focusing on the concept of majority.

a significant portion

Highlights that the quantity is large and important, without specifying the exact amount.

a substantial fraction

Emphasizes the quantity as a noteworthy part of the whole, less specific than "more than a half".

beyond the halfway point

Metaphorically describes exceeding a limit or standard with different wording.

a considerable segment

Similar to "a significant portion", but focuses on the idea of a division into segments.

FAQs

What does "more than a half" mean?

The phrase "more than a half" means greater than 50% of something. It's used to indicate that a quantity or proportion is larger than half of the total.

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

You can use "more than a half" to describe proportions. For example, "More than a half of the students passed the exam".

What are some alternatives to "more than a half"?

Alternatives include "greater than fifty percent", "over fifty percent", or "a majority of". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and precision.

Is it better to say "more than a half" or "more than half"?

Both "more than a half" and "more than half" are acceptable. However, "more than half" is more common and generally preferred in contemporary English.