one half

USAGE SUMMARY

"one half" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to 50% of something. For example, "One half of the cake was eaten by my brother."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

One half of this is true.

The New York Times - Arts

Only played one half".

The New York Times - Sports

In one half.

The New York Times - Sports

One half Beatle.

The New Yorker

One half say yes, one half say no.

The New York Times - Sports

One half at home and one half in my shop.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Damage accumulated within one half-wave after buckling.

Thin-Walled Structures

–One-half stay less than one semester.

Forbes

one-half inch.

The New York Times

"Five and one-half drops," said Stuart.

The New Yorker

Others give spouses one-half.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "one half" when precision is important. For example, in scientific or technical writing, "one half" is preferred over less precise terms like "about half".

Common error

Don't confuse "one half" (a quantity) with "halved" (a verb describing the action of dividing something in two). For instance, say "one half of the apple" instead of "the apple was one halfed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one half" functions primarily as a noun phrase when it represents a fraction or a quantity. It can also act as an adjective when modifying another noun, as in "one half hour". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "one half" is a grammatically correct and widely used way to express the fraction 1/2 or 50%. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from formal writing in news and scientific publications to more casual conversation. When using "one half", it's important to distinguish it from related terms like "halved" and to choose the most appropriate alternative based on the context, such as "fifty percent" or "a half". By following these guidelines, you can ensure clear and effective communication using the phrase "one half".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fifty percent

Expresses the same quantity using percentage.

a half

A shorter, more casual way of saying "one half".

point five

Uses the decimal representation of the fraction.

0.5

Uses the numerical representation of the fraction.

fifty-fifty

Implies an equal division or chance.

semi-

Prefix used to indicate "half" or "partly".

moiety

A formal or archaic term for "half".

one part in two

Emphasizes the ratio aspect of "one half".

halfway

Indicates a position or extent that is "half" of the way.

median

Refers to the middle value, dividing a dataset in "half".

FAQs

How do I use "one half" in a sentence?

"One half" can be used to describe a quantity, proportion, or division. For example, "One half of the students passed the test" or "Cut the recipe in half, using only "one half" of the ingredients".

What are some alternatives to saying "one half"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "fifty percent", "a half", or "point five".

Is it better to write "one half" or "1/2"?

In formal writing, it's generally better to spell out "one half". However, "1/2" is acceptable in more informal contexts, especially where space is limited or in technical writing.

What's the difference between "one half" and "a half"?

The terms are largely interchangeable. "One half" is slightly more formal and precise, while "a half" is more casual. Both refer to the same quantity: 50% of something.