second half of the month

USAGE SUMMARY

"second half of the month" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the latter 15 days of a calendar month. Example: I will receive my paycheck during the second half of the month, so I will have to budget carefully until then.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Consumer sentiment was bruised in July but improved in the second half of the month as Americans proved resilient to this month's merciless stock market selloff.

Forbes

In the second half of the month northerly winds dominated.

The Guardian

The south, though, became notably warmer, and the second half of the month was generally mild, although unsettled at the end.

The Guardian

The same is true for the second half of the month effects (negative returns from September to November, see Table 8), which are reduced after including liquidity and order imbalance variables, but most of the interacted coefficients remain insignificant.

Business Research

But in the second half of the month, his numbers dropped right back down again.

Huffington Post

Fort McMurray's airport recorded only 17 mm of rain in April, and only 1 mm in the second half of the month.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"Next month, next month.

The New York Times

Entries close early next month….

Metal Powder Report

Trainees earn ?1972 per month.

Science Magazine

January 19 4 month follow-up.

Sports Medicine - Open

Right Pic: Last month.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "second half of the month", ensure the context provides enough information to avoid ambiguity, especially if the reader needs to know precise dates. For example, specify the month or refer to a specific event occurring in that period.

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone interprets "second half of the month" the same way. Some might consider it the 15th onward, while others might round up. Be specific if precision is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "second half of the month" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, specifying when an event or action takes place. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "second half of the month" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to refer to the latter portion of a calendar month. Ludwig AI analysis shows its acceptability, primarily in news and media, science, and general contexts. While the phrase is generally clear, ambiguity can arise if the specific month isn't specified or if precise dates are needed. Alternatives like "latter part of the month" or "end of the month" offer similar meanings, but context should guide the choice. To ensure clarity, be specific about the month or related dates.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

latter part of the month

Replaces "half" with "part" and uses "latter" to indicate the end of the month.

second portion of the month

Substitutes "half" with "portion", keeping the relative position.

latter segment of the month

Uses "segment" instead of "half", maintaining the temporal reference.

end of the month

Focuses on the terminal portion of the month, rather than a specific half.

last two weeks of the month

Specifies a duration within the month instead of a relative portion.

closing weeks of the month

Highlights the weeks that conclude the month, replacing "half" with "weeks".

final days of the month

Highlights the concluding days, emphasizing the nearness to the month's end.

latter phase of the month

Replaces "half" with "phase", describing a stage near the month's end.

latter stages of the month

Uses "stages" to represent a period and "latter" to pinpoint the month's end.

the month's waning period

Employs "waning period" to suggest the diminishing days of the month.

FAQs

How can I use "second half of the month" in a sentence?

You can use "second half of the month" to indicate a period within a month, as in "The project will be completed in the second half of the month." This specifies when the project is expected to finish.

What's an alternative to saying "second half of the month"?

Alternatives include "latter part of the month" or "end of the month", depending on the level of precision needed.

Is it better to say "second half of the month" or "end of the month"?

The choice depends on the context. "Second half of the month" refers more broadly to the latter portion, while "end of the month" suggests the final days.

How do I avoid ambiguity when using "second half of the month"?

Provide context by specifying the month, like "second half of July", or relating it to a specific date, such as "after the 15th of the month".