of which half

USAGE SUMMARY

"of which half" is a perfectly valid phrase for use in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a proportion of something. For example: The cake was enormous, of which half was eaten by Jack.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

International SOS employs about 11,000 people worldwide, of which half are medical professionals.

The Guardian

Bill was $300 a month, of which half went to the Plaza.

The New Yorker

They typically have 15-20 onsthes on the board, of which half are from Maine.

The Guardian - Travel

But these numbers represent a population of 1.2 billion people, of which half are under 25.

The New York Times

Dr. Waksal was released on $10 million bond, of which half will have to be posted in cash by tomorrow.

The New York Times

Over 60 versions are known, of which half are considered to be from the painter's own hand.

The New York Times - Arts

Exchanges in Europe's four biggest economies have set up just under a dozen since 1995, of which half now exist.

The Economist

Annual precipitation is 650 mm, of which half falls as snow.

Forest Ecosystems

Reference sires were picked from a team of six rams of which half were replaced each year.

Livestock Production Science

individuals, of which half were exposed to tropane alkaloid biosynthesis stimulating conditions by co-culture with Agrobacterium rhizogenes.

Phytochemistry

The majority of patients (66.7 %) were admitted as an emergency admission, of which half underwent unscheduled surgery.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "of which half", ensure clarity by placing it immediately after the noun it modifies. This avoids ambiguity and maintains a smooth flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid separating "of which half" too far from the noun it describes. A distant placement can confuse readers about what the 'half' refers to. For example, instead of writing "The project had several phases. Of which half were completed on time.", prefer: "The project had several phases, of which half were completed on time."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of which half" functions as a post-modifying prepositional phrase. It specifies a proportion (50%) of a previously mentioned noun or group, adding detail about the extent or quantity possessing a certain characteristic. Ludwig shows this across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of which half" serves as a useful and quantitatively descriptive element within a sentence, most often found in science, news, and business contexts. It provides precise detail about a portion of a previously mentioned subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently employed across various sources, denoting its reliability in formal writing. Understanding its function and typical usage helps writers employ it accurately, avoiding common errors like misplaced modifiers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

half of which

Inversion of the original phrase's structure, maintaining the same proportional meaning.

fifty percent of which

Substitutes 'half' with 'fifty percent,' providing a numerical equivalent for a direct translation.

one half of which

Replaces 'half' with 'one half,' emphasizing the fractional nature of the quantity but with a similar meaning.

a moiety of which

Replaces 'half' with 'moiety,' a more formal term for half, to give the same meaning.

where half

Replaces 'of which' with 'where,' implying that the half is a specific location or subset.

a proportion of which

Uses 'a proportion' for 'half,' generalizing the quantity but referring a part of the whole.

part of which

Replaces 'half' with 'part,' referring to an unspecified portion of the total.

a share of which

Uses 'a share' instead of 'half,' denoting a portion or allotment without specifying the exact amount.

a segment of which

Replaces 'half' with 'segment,' implying a portion that is not necessarily equal to 50%.

some of which

Uses 'some' for 'half,' indicating an indefinite quantity or number.

FAQs

How can I use "of which half" in a sentence?

Use "of which half" to specify that 50% of a previously mentioned group or quantity possesses a certain characteristic. For instance, "The company employs 200 people, "of which half" are women."

What are some alternatives to "of which half"?

Alternatives include "half of which", "fifty percent of which", or rephrasing the sentence to use "half" as a direct modifier. For example, instead of "The students took two exams, "of which half" were graded", you could say "Half of the exams were graded."

Is it better to use "of which half" or "half of which"?

Both "of which half" and "half of which" are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. The choice often depends on the desired emphasis and sentence flow. "Half of which" is often considered more straightforward and common in contemporary usage.

Can "of which half" be used to refer to non-countable nouns?

Yes, "of which half" can be used with both countable and non-countable nouns, provided the context allows for a division into halves. For example, "The water was polluted, "of which half" was treated before release."