not half as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not half as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to compare two things, indicating that one is not as significant or substantial as the other. Example: "This new movie is not half as entertaining as the one we watched last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And not half as clean.

The New Yorker

Not half as much.

The New York Times - Sports

The experience was not half as bad as expected.

The New York Times

Well, not half as boring as he is.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not half as bad as Vienna's famous Musikverein.

The Guardian - Music

Yes, this change presents some challenges – but not half as many as Willetts and co claim.

Independent

They're not half as fascinating as his photographs, which are densely composed and collaged tableaux.

The New Yorker

They are not half as scary as Nabil and his band of incipient terrorists.

The New York Times

American power is not half as scary as its absence would be.

The Economist

Not half as far into the past, though, as the frisking lemurs had taken her.

The Economist

Not half as strange as it does to those of us who live here.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not half as", ensure you clearly establish what two things you are comparing to avoid ambiguity. It strengthens your comparison and gives clarity to your sentences.

Common error

Avoid using "not half as" when there is no comparison being made. It's a comparative phrase, so it requires two subjects for a valid comparison. For example, instead of saying "The movie was not half as bad", provide a reference point like "The movie was not half as bad as I expected."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not half as" functions primarily as a degree modifier within comparative constructions. It serves to diminish the intensity or extent of an adjective or adverb, indicating that something possesses a quality to a lesser degree than something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and acceptable usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not half as" is a versatile phrase used to express comparison, indicating that something is significantly less than another. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various situations. When employing this phrase, ensure clear comparison to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like ""not nearly as"" exist, "not half as" remains a common and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nowhere near as

Indicates a significant difference in degree, emphasizing that something is far from being equal.

not nearly as

Emphasizes that something is considerably less than what is being compared.

not remotely as

Suggests a very distant or unlikely comparison.

nowhere close to

Highlights that something isn't approximate to the other.

not remotely close to

Highlights the considerable distance between two things being compared.

far from being as

Implies a significant deviation from a certain state or condition.

distinctly less than

Emphasizes a clear and noticeable difference in degree.

not quite as

Indicates a slight difference in degree, suggesting something falls short.

significantly smaller than

Highlights a notable difference in size or amount.

substantially different from

Suggests a marked contrast or divergence.

FAQs

How can I use "not half as" in a sentence?

Use "not half as" to compare two things, indicating one is significantly less than the other. For example, "This task is "not half as difficult" as I thought it would be".

What phrases are similar to "not half as"?

Alternatives include "not nearly as", "nowhere near as", or "not remotely as". These all express a significant difference in degree.

Is it correct to say "not as half" instead of "not half as"?

No, "not as half" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "not half as". The structure "not half as + adjective + as" is a standard comparative construction.

What's the difference between "not half as good" and "not nearly as good"?

While both phrases convey that something is significantly less good than another, "not nearly as good" often implies a slightly larger difference than "not half as good", though they are largely interchangeable.