over half

USAGE SUMMARY

'over half' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a portion greater than 50%, for example, "Over half of the people in the room were in favor of the proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Over half (52%) disapprove.

The Economist

Now over half do.

The Economist

Just over half.

The New Yorker

Over half disapprove of his job performance.

The Economist

Over half decided to have an abortion.

Independent

"We spend over half our time cleaning.

The New York Times - Science

Over half came from European nations.

The New York Times

Well over half leave for Britain.

The Economist

Over half the population is now urban.

The Economist

Over half of prison inmates are Maori.

The Economist

In fact, over half stay in education.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "over half", ensure that the context clearly defines the total quantity or group being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "Over half of the students" rather than just "Over half".

Common error

Avoid using "over half" when a more precise figure is available. If you know the exact percentage (e.g., 55%), using that figure will improve clarity and credibility. In these cases, instead of saying "over half", you can use the exact number to provide the correct value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over half" functions as a quantifier, specifying a proportion greater than 50%. Ludwig examples show it modifying nouns, indicating the extent or degree of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "over half" is a versatile and commonly used phrase for indicating a proportion greater than 50%. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct. It frequently appears in news, scientific, and business contexts. For enhanced clarity, always specify the subject or group being quantified. Alternatives like "more than half" or "a majority" can be used depending on the context. When an exact percentage is known, prefer using that information to "over half". With 65 real-world examples Ludwig proves the extensive use of "over half" across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than half

Replaces "over" with "more than", a direct synonym, maintaining the same meaning and level of formality.

a majority

Substitutes the numerical reference with a qualitative term indicating a larger portion.

slightly more than half

Adds nuance to describe proportion, suggesting the amount is only a little more than the half.

greater than fifty percent

Replaces the phrase with a more precise numerical expression, suitable for technical contexts.

in excess of half

Uses a more formal tone, indicating a quantity beyond the halfway point.

more than fifty per cent

Changes to percentage based quantity.

a significant portion

Replaces the precise quantity with a general term indicating a noteworthy part.

fifty-one percent or more

Changes to more quantity expression in a very explicit way.

most

Simplifies the expression to a general term indicating a large quantity, suitable for informal use.

a substantial number

Moves away from exactness into describing a considerable but unquantified amount.

FAQs

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

Use "over half" to indicate that more than 50% of a group or quantity is being referred to. For example, "Over half of the participants agreed with the proposal."

What are some alternatives to saying "over half"?

You can use alternatives such as "more than half", "a majority", or "greater than fifty percent" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "over half" or "more than half"?

Both "over half" and "more than half" are acceptable, but "more than half" might be considered slightly more formal. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context.

When should I use a precise percentage instead of "over half"?

If you have the exact percentage, it's generally better to use it for greater accuracy. For instance, if 55% of people agree, state "55% of people agree" rather than "over half".