scale down by half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scale down by half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to reducing the size, amount, or intensity of something by fifty percent. Example: "To make the recipe more manageable, we decided to scale down by half the ingredients listed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A decade later, the rate was down by half.

The New York Times

Showroom traffic is down by half to two-thirds.

The New York Times

They are expected to be down by half in dairy".

The Guardian

The value of stocks is down by half.

Forbes

Cessna's employment base is down by half, to 8,000.

Forbes

First, internship requests went down by half.

Huffington Post

The feeder link data rate will thus scale down by this factor.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The data rates for opportunistic macro-user allocations will thus scale down by this factor.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The mosque was scaled down to half its proposed size and the height of its Spanish-style minaret was cut down to satisfy local demands.

The New York Times

However, the equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) of the high-k gate dielectric has to be scaled down to half nanometer range.

Microelectronic Engineering

STEW FRIEDMAN: It almost went down by half.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you need to clearly and unambiguously communicate a fifty percent reduction, use "scale down by half". This phrase is more precise than simply saying "scale down", especially in technical or business contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "scale down by half" if you have already established a different scaling factor. Ensure you are consistently referring to a 50% reduction to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scale down by half" functions as a phrasal verb indicating a proportional reduction. It specifies the degree of reduction, meaning to decrease something to 50% of its original value. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scale down by half" is a grammatically sound and clear way to describe a 50% reduction. Though examples are currently unavailable in Ludwig AI's database, making it an uncommon expression, it effectively conveys a precise proportional decrease. Alternatives like "halve" or "reduce by 50 percent" may be more common, but "scale down by half" is suitable when the context already involves the concept of scaling. Using this phrase consistently and accurately ensures clear communication, particularly in technical or business settings. As per Ludwig AI's analysis, this phrasal verb serves to quantify a reduction and maintains a neutral formality level.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce by 50 percent

More explicit and quantifiable way of saying the same thing, focusing on the percentage.

cut in half

Simple and direct alternative, emphasizing the action of dividing into two equal parts.

halve

A single word to indicate reducing something to half its original size or amount.

decrease by half

Uses a different verb to indicate a reduction, maintaining a similar level of formality.

diminish by 50%

Replaces "reduce" by a slightly more formal term that expresses lessening.

lower by half

Focuses on the act of reducing something to a lower level by a factor of two.

shrink by 50 percent

Implies reducing in size or extent, specifically by half.

mark down by half

Specifically used in the context of pricing or sales to indicate a price reduction.

downsize by 50%

More commonly used in business contexts, implying a reduction in scale or workforce.

contract by half

Suggests a reduction in size or scope, often used in technical or formal settings.

FAQs

How can I use "scale down by half" in a sentence?

You can use "scale down by half" to describe reducing the size, amount, or intensity of something by 50%. For instance: "To make the recipe more manageable, we decided to "scale down by half" the ingredients listed."

What can I say instead of "scale down by half"?

Alternatives include "halve", "reduce by 50 percent", or "cut in half". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "scale down by half" or "reduce by half"?

"Reduce by half" is more common and widely understood. "Scale down by half" might be used in contexts where scaling is already being discussed, making it a more specific choice.

What does "scale down by half" mean in the context of a business plan?

In a business context, ""scale down by half"" could refer to reducing production, workforce, or budget by 50% in response to changing market conditions or financial constraints.