second half hour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "second half hour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the latter portion of a 30-minute time frame, typically in contexts involving scheduling or timing. Example: "The meeting will start at 2:00 PM, and we expect to cover the main topics in the second half hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was the second time in seven months that Hill has come close to the death chamber: last July he was spared by just 90 minutes and the experience was repeated on Tuesday night with just 30 minutes to go.

The Guardian

In addition, the Committee intends to purchase a further $600 billion of longer-term Treasury securities by the end of the second quarter of 2011, a pace of about $75 billion per month.

The New York Times

His record - two cups within six months of his appointment, a domestic treble in his first full season, a second title in 2005 and reaching the last 16 of the Champions League - set the context for a rueful but masterfully understated parting comment: "I'm sure those people who look at the facts will say that during a period of downsizing, I was reasonably successful".

The Guardian - Sport

When Liberal Democrat thoughts do turn to a new leader after the next general election, Chris Huhne, who finished second to Campbell in this year's contest, or a representative of he younger generation like Nick Clegg will inherit his crown.

The Guardian - Opinion

This picturesque small town is decked out in red, white and blue bunting, celebrating the fact that for the second time in 12 years it is hosting a vice-presidential debate.

The Guardian

It all stems from a decision made almost half a century ago by the Some Like It Hot star's legal representatives in the wake of her 1962 death.

The Guardian - Film

In the following year the town's population of about 4,000 dropped by nearly half, and as businesses and supermarkets closed, Qantas cut its services, and houses were left empty, the exodus began to take a toll on the mental health of those who stayed behind.

The Guardian

The TNS poll gives the SNP a 10-point lead over Scottish Labour among those certain to vote, at 41% against 31%, putting nearly half of the 41 Westminster seats won by Scottish Labour in 2010 at risk.

The Guardian

Ah, the beauty about Christmas is that stories - already rebutted - can get a second life after the holiday season.

The Guardian - Tech

Forbes ranks it as the second-largest private company in the country, after Cargill, and its consistent profitability has made David and Charles Koch—who, years ago, bought out two other brothers—among the richest men in America.

The Economist

"You cheerfully break every rule of the theatre that I was brought up to believe in, except the cardinal one of never boring for a split-second".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling events, use "second half hour" to specify a precise timeframe, especially when clarity is crucial. For example, "Please arrive by 2:30 PM, as the main presentation will be in the "second half hour" of the meeting."

Common error

Don't use "second half hour" when discussing timeframes longer than an hour, as it may cause confusion. Instead, specify the exact start and end times to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "second half hour" functions as a time specifier. It identifies a specific 30-minute segment within an hour. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "second half hour" is a grammatically sound and usable way to specify a 30-minute timeframe within an hour. Though Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its infrequent usage suggests that alternative phrases like "last 30 minutes" or "final half hour" may be more common. When using "second half hour", clarity and context are crucial to avoid ambiguity. It is most suitable for scheduling and precise time indications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

last half hour

Swaps "second" for "last", emphasizing the finality of the time period.

final half hour

Replaces "second" with "final", stressing the concluding nature of the timeframe.

latter half hour

Uses "latter" instead of "second", focusing on the latter part of the hour.

last 30 minutes

Rephrases using minutes instead of a fraction of an hour.

final 30 minutes

Expresses the same time period in minutes, emphasizing conclusion.

last portion of the hour

Uses a more descriptive and wordy substitute.

the latter part of the hour

Offers a more formal alternative to describe the same timeframe.

from thirty to sixty minutes

Specifies the timeframe using minute intervals from a starting point.

the second segment of the hour

Uses segment, to describe the timeframe.

hour's second portion

Inverts the structure for a slightly different emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "second half hour" in a sentence?

You can use "second half hour" to specify the latter part of an hour-long timeframe. For example, "The discussion will continue into the "last half hour" of the session".

What's an alternative to saying "second half hour"?

Alternatives include "last 30 minutes", "final half hour", or "latter part of the hour", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "second half hour" formal or informal?

The phrase "second half hour" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal situations might benefit from using "latter part of the hour".

How precise is the term "second half hour"?

The term "second half hour" refers to the 30 minutes following the first 30 minutes of a given hour, so is as precise as specifying any other half-hour segment.