reduce by half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce by half" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase in formal or informal contexts to indicate that you are cutting something in half. Example: The cook reduced the recipe by half so that it would only serve two people.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let wine reduce by half.

The New York Times - Food

Boil vinegar to reduce by half.

The New York Times - Magazine

Add stock and reduce by half again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Add wine and reduce by half.

The New York Times - Magazine

Add cream, and again reduce by half.

The New York Times - Food

Place over medium heat, and reduce by half.

The New York Times - Food

Add the passata and reduce by half again.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Strain the liquor, reduce by half, and reserve.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Bring to a simmer, and reduce by half.

The New York Times - Food

Add the white wine and reduce by half.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Add tomato and white wine, and reduce by half.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reduce by half" to clearly and concisely indicate a 50% reduction in quantity, size, or value, avoiding ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "reduce by half" when the intended meaning is to reduce to half. The phrase "reduce by half" means to decrease by 50%, not to end up at 50% of the original value after reduction. For instance, if something is reduced by half from 100, it becomes 50. To clarify, you might say "reduced to half its original size" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce by half" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of decreasing something by 50%. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts to describe a specific type of reduction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reduce by half" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies a 50% decrease. According to Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science, indicating its versatility. While alternatives like "halve" and "decrease by 50 percent" exist, "reduce by half" provides clarity and precision. Remember to use it correctly to indicate a reduction by 50%, and not to 50% of the original value.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

halve

A more concise, single-word alternative with identical meaning.

slash by half

Emphasizes a more sudden or drastic reduction, whereas "reduce by half" is neutral.

decrease by 50 percent

More specific and quantifiable, highlighting the exact percentage of reduction.

lower by half

Focuses on the act of bringing something down to half its original value.

diminish by half

Highlights the process of becoming smaller or less over time.

lessen by half

Similar to diminish, but can also refer to intensity or severity.

cut in half

Implies a physical division or a distinct separation into two equal parts.

scale down by 50 percent

Suggests a proportional reduction, often in business or project management settings.

mark down by 50%

Often used in retail contexts referring to sales or discounts, making it more specific than reduce.

truncate by 50 percent

More formal and technical, implying a precise and definite cutting off or shortening.

FAQs

How do I use "reduce by half" in a sentence?

Use "reduce by half" to indicate that something is being decreased by 50%. For example: "The company aims to "reduce by half" its carbon emissions by 2030."

What can I say instead of "reduce by half"?

You can use alternatives like "halve", "decrease by 50 percent", or "slash by half" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "reduce by half" or "halve"?

Both "reduce by half" and "halve" are grammatically correct, but "halve" is more concise. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the flow of your writing.

What's the difference between "reduce by half" and "reduce to half"?

"Reduce by half" means to decrease something by 50%, while "reduce to half" means to make something 50% of its original value. For example, reducing something from 100 by half results in 50, while reducing it to half also results in 50.