one half hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one half hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a duration of time, specifically 30 minutes. Example: "The meeting will last for one half hour, so please be prepared to discuss the agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Media Studies – Watch a televised news program for one half hour.

The New York Times

Tickets: $25 and $40 ,half-price rush for students and 65+ one half hour before curtain (Anne Midgette).

The New York Times

Later, I shifted my dream plan a split of cold champagne one half hour before the tray!

The New Yorker

"I was trying to create a comedy show that made people really laugh and really cry in one half hour," Ms. Spero said.

The New York Times

Auroras and electrojet diminished in intensity and returned to lower latitudes by 5 10 UT, a timescale of about one half hour.

Earth, Planets and Space

One half hour.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

In accordance with city parking regulations, he moves the vehicle at 7 a.m. on Mondays for one half-hour, for street cleaning.

The New York Times

The museum will now be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and will open one half-hour earlier -- at 10 a.m.

The New York Times - Arts

Total time expended: one half-hour.

The New York Times

One half-hour to go to the Operational Center, and yet another half-hour to go to the Alzheimer Center!

The New York Times

He cooked some lovely-looking recipes, coq au vin, papardelle with porcini, though you might think five in one half-hour show was a lot to get through.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "thirty minutes" for clarity, especially in technical or scientific contexts where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid mixing numeral formats within the same context. If you've established a pattern of using numerals for time durations, stick to it (e.g., use "30 minutes" instead of "one half hour").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one half hour" functions primarily as a noun phrase specifying a duration of time. It indicates a period equivalent to thirty minutes. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "one half hour" is a grammatically correct way to express a duration of 30 minutes. Ludwig confirms its validity and common usage. While interchangeable with "thirty minutes" or "half an hour", it may be less precise for technical contexts. Primarily found in news, media and scientific publications, "one half hour" serves to specify the length of an event or activity. For optimal clarity, choose "thirty minutes" in formal or scientific writing to ensure precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thirty minutes

Expresses the same duration using a numerical value and unit of time.

half an hour

Reorders the words while retaining the same meaning and using 'an' instead of 'one'.

a half hour

Uses 'a' instead of 'one' without changing the meaning.

0.5 hours

Expresses the duration as a decimal value of hours.

30-minute period

Rephrases as a period of 30 minutes, emphasizing the duration.

a period of thirty minutes

Similar to 'thirty minutes' but extends it into a descriptive phrase.

half-hour interval

Describes the duration as an interval of time.

a span of thirty minutes

Uses 'span' to refer to the duration, adding a bit more descriptive emphasis.

short period

Generalizes the duration to a brief timeframe, losing precise measurement.

brief spell

Replaces the concept of specific timing with a short, indefinite period

FAQs

How can I rephrase "one half hour" in formal writing?

In formal writing, you can replace "one half hour" with more precise terms such as "thirty minutes" or "a period of thirty minutes" for improved clarity and professionalism.

What's the difference between "one half hour" and "half an hour"?

Both phrases are generally interchangeable and mean the same thing. "Half an hour" is more common in everyday speech, while "one half hour" might be used for added emphasis or in more technical contexts.

When is it better to use "one half hour" instead of "30 minutes"?

While "30 minutes" is clearer for technical contexts, "one half hour" can be used in general writing to add variety. Avoid using "one half hour" when precision is key; stick with "30 minutes" in those cases.

Are there situations where "one half hour" might be confusing?

While generally understood, "one half hour" might cause momentary confusion if the context demands exactness. Sticking to "thirty minutes" removes any ambiguity, especially in scientific or scheduling contexts.