nearly half

USAGE SUMMARY

"nearly half" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to an approximate amount of something that is close to, but slightly less than, half of the total. For example, "Nearly half of the students in the classroom had their hands raised."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nearly half are under $30.

The New York Times

Nearly half the subjects were taking rapamycin.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Nearly half are black.

The New York Times

Now, nearly half  do.

The New York Times

Nearly half had steam engines.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nearly half are women.

Columbia University

Nearly half go online every day.

The Economist

Nearly half the town fell ill.

The New York Times

Nearly half the salads weren't finished.

The New Yorker

He still won nearly half the vote.

The Economist

Nearly half of the refugees are children.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing in a formal register and exactness is important, consider providing the exact percentage (e.g., "48 percent") rather than using "nearly half".

Common error

Avoid using "nearly half" when the quantity is significantly different from 50%. For instance, if the quantity is closer to 30%, using "approximately a third" is more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly half" functions as a quantifier, specifically an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It indicates an approximate quantity that is slightly less than one half. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nearly half" is a grammatically sound and widely used quantifier that indicates a quantity slightly less than 50%. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for use in written English across various contexts. While precise numerical values may be preferred in formal writing, "nearly half" offers a convenient way to express approximate proportions in news, science, and general communication. Alternatives such as "almost half" or "close to half" can be used to add variety to your writing, but it is very important to consider the context to make sure that "nearly half" it is actually representing the quantity you have in mind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost half

This alternative is very similar, emphasizing the approximation being slightly less than half.

close to half

This alternative highlights the proximity to the 50% mark.

just under half

This phrase specifies that the amount is a little below half.

slightly less than half

This is a more descriptive alternative clarifying the quantity is a bit smaller than half.

approximately 45 percent

This uses a numerical approximation to represent a value close to half.

around 40-50 percent

This alternative provides a range around the half mark.

in the vicinity of half

This phrase indicates an amount near the halfway point, but is slightly more formal.

a significant minority

This alternative emphasizes that the portion is less than half but still noteworthy.

a large fraction

This indicates a considerable, but not dominant, portion.

not quite 50 percent

This explicitly states the amount is less than half, focusing on the percentage.

FAQs

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

You can use "nearly half" to describe a quantity that is a little less than 50% of a whole. For example: "Nearly half of the students passed the exam."

What are some alternatives to using "nearly half"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "almost half", "close to half", or "just under half".

Is it correct to say "near to half" instead of "nearly half"?

While "near to half" might be understood, "nearly half" is the more common and grammatically preferred phrasing in standard English.

Can "nearly half" be used for both countable and uncountable nouns?

Yes, "nearly half" can be used with both countable nouns (e.g., "Nearly half of the apples were rotten") and uncountable nouns (e.g., "Nearly half of the water was wasted").