reduces by half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduces by half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a decrease in quantity, size, or value to 50% of its original amount. Example: "The new policy reduces the budget by half, allowing for more efficient allocation of resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Cook over high heat until the liquid reduces by half.

The New York Times - Magazine

Add the wine and simmer until it reduces by half, about 3 minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

4 Pour in the vermouth, and simmer until the liquid reduces by half.

The Guardian - Books

It even reduces by half value for In-Hg-Sn-O VO systems.

Computational Materials Science

Add the wine or stock and cook until the liquid reduces by half, about 5 to 10 minutes.

The New York Times

Pour in the wine, turn up the heat to high and leave to bubble for a minute or two, until the alcohol cooks off and the sauce reduces by half.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Boil until reduced by half.

The New York Times - Food

Let wine reduce by half.

The New York Times - Food

Simmer until reduced by half.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cook until wine is reduced by half.

The New York Times - Food

Boil vinegar to reduce by half.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reduces by half", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced and the original quantity or value it's being reduced from. For example, "The new energy-efficient technology reduces energy consumption by half, compared to traditional methods."

Common error

Avoid using "reduces by half" in situations where the reduction is not precisely 50%. Using it for approximate reductions can be misleading. Be precise: If it's not exactly half, use terms like 'significantly reduces' or 'nearly halves'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduces by half" functions as a verb phrase indicating a quantitative change. It specifies that a certain quantity or value is diminished to 50% of its initial amount. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts, confirming its role in describing such reductions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

44%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reduces by half" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for expressing that something has decreased to 50% of its original value. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general knowledge. While alternatives exist, like "halves" or "decreases by 50 percent", the choice depends on desired formality and precision. When using this phrase, ensure accuracy and contextual clarity to prevent any potential misinterpretations. Keep in mind this phrase is common in News & Media and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreases by 50 percent

Uses a numerical percentage to specify the amount of reduction, offering a more precise alternative.

is halved

Employs a passive voice construction to indicate that something's quantity is cut in half.

is cut in half

Uses a more colloquial term "cut" to describe the action of reducing something to half.

is diminished by half

Replaces "reduces" with "diminished," indicating a weakening or lessening in amount.

is lessened by 50%

Uses "lessened" to convey a decrease and specifies the reduction with a percentage.

drops to 50 percent

Indicates a fall or decline to half the original value, focusing on the resulting state.

is brought down by 50%

Uses "brought down" to express a reduction, specifying it with a percentage.

suffers a 50 percent reduction

Emphasizes the impact of the reduction, framing it as something being "suffered".

experiences a 50% decrease

Highlights the occurrence of the reduction, framing it as something being "experienced".

is marked down by half

Suggests a formal or intentional reduction, often used in economic contexts like pricing.

FAQs

How can I use "reduces by half" in a sentence?

You can use "reduces by half" to describe something that has been decreased to 50% of its original value or amount. For example, "The new treatment "reduces by half" the recovery time."

What are some alternatives to "reduces by half"?

Some alternatives include "halves", "decreases by 50 percent", or "is cut in half", depending on the formality and context.

Is it better to say "reduces by half" or "halves"?

Both "reduces by half" and "halves" are correct, but "halves" might be more concise. The choice depends on your preferred style and the specific context. For example, "The new regulation halves the permissible emissions" versus "The new regulation "reduces by half" the permissible emissions."

What does "reduces by half" imply about the final amount?

"Reduces by half" implies that the final amount is 50% of the original amount. For instance, if a cost of $100 "reduces by half", the new cost is $50.