shrank by half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shrank by half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reduction in size, quantity, or amount, specifically indicating that something has decreased to 50% of its original value. Example: "After the budget cuts, the project's funding shrank by half, forcing the team to scale back their plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The expansion comes after the company shrank by half.

The Guardian - Business

Tumors shrank by half in 13 of those patients.

The New York Times

The river, teeming with 20-to-40-pound 20-to-40-pound 20-to-40-pound 20-to-40-pound

Yale University

As the music industry shifted from CDs to online downloads, Mr. Phemister's business shrank by half.

The New York Times

Swollen after a century or more underwater, it later shrank by half.

The New York Times

Instead, bonuses shrank by half a percent, as companies spent their hard-earned cash to offset their increasingly painful debts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Syria's economy has shrunk by half.

The New York Times

Staten Island, meanwhile, will shrink by half.

The New York Times

In that time conventional government printing has shrunk by half.

Independent

That number has shrunk by half, officials said.

The New York Times

To save money, that army has since shrunk by half, to about 70,000 personnel.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing percentage changes, ensure the context clearly indicates what the initial value or quantity is. For instance, specify "profits shrank by half compared to last year" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what is being halved. Saying "the budget shrank by half" is unclear if it's not specified whether it's the total budget, a department's budget, or another specific component.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shrank by half" functions as a descriptive expression, quantifying the extent of reduction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it clearly and concisely indicates a decrease to 50% of the original amount. Examples include describing tumor size reduction or economic decline.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shrank by half" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a reduction to 50% of an original value. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While alternatives like "reduced by 50 percent" exist, "shrank by half" offers a concise and easily understandable way to communicate a significant decrease. When using this phrase, clarity is key – always ensure the context makes clear what is being reduced. It has a neutral register and enjoys common use across a variety of authoritative publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced by fifty percent

Replaces "shrank" with "reduced" and "half" with its numerical equivalent, "fifty percent".

decreased by 50%

Uses "decreased" as a synonym for "shrank" and expresses the reduction as a percentage.

halved in size

Focuses on the resulting size after the reduction, using a more concise wording.

cut in half

Employs a more informal and direct way to express the reduction.

diminished by half

Substitutes "shrank" with "diminished", providing a slightly more formal tone.

contracted by half

Replaces "shrank" with "contracted", suitable for contexts involving physical size or economic activity.

saw a fifty percent reduction

Shifts the focus to the observation of the reduction rather than the action itself.

was halved

A passive construction emphasizing the result of the reduction.

declined by half

Uses "declined" to express a reduction, often used in the context of numbers or quantities.

lessened by 50 percent

Replaces "shrank" with "lessened", conveying a decrease in amount or intensity.

FAQs

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

You can use "shrank by half" to describe a reduction in size, quantity, or amount. For example, "After the company restructuring, the team size "shrank by half"".

What are some alternatives to "shrank by half"?

Some alternatives include "reduced by fifty percent", "decreased by 50%", or "cut in half", depending on the context.

Is it more accurate to say "shrank by half" or "reduced by 50 percent"?

Both "shrank by half" and "reduced by 50 percent" are accurate. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context. "Shrank by half" may be seen as slightly less formal.

What does it mean when something is described as having "shrunk by half"?

When something has "shrunk by half", it means its size, quantity, or value has been reduced to 50% of its original amount.