shrunk by over half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shrunk by over half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant reduction in size, quantity, or amount, typically in a quantitative context. Example: "The company's profits have shrunk by over half since last year, prompting a reevaluation of their business strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, the Israelis have still fared much better than the Palestinians, whose economy has shrunk by around half over the past three years, according to Palestinian officials and aid agencies.

The New York Times

The world's largest living organism has shrunk by about half over the past 30 years as a result of climate change, ocean acidification, pollution and crown-of-thorns starfish, which prey on coral.

Independent

But for a variety of reasons, average household size has shrunk by about half in the United States over the last 150 years, to about three people from six.

The New York Times

And, the Obama stimulus policies that Republicans claimed would explode the deficit have actually shrunk the deficit by over half.

Huffington Post

By the end of the week, Berman's class had shrunk by about half.

The New Yorker

The economy, after all, has shrunk by about half in the past five years.

The Washington Post

According to Age UK, the UK bank branch network has shrunk by half over the last 25 years with another 2,000 closures expected in the next three to four years, meaning that the number of stranded customers is likely to continue increasing.

The Guardian

DaimlerChrysler faces fierce competition and narrow profit margins in Europe while Mitsubishi is stuck with a domestic market in Japan that has shrunk by nearly half over the last decade.

The New York Times

South Africa's share of the world's gold output shrank from over half in 1980 to just over a fifth last year.

The Economist

Over the years, as the size of the force shrank by about half, only 17 percent of those eligible were even called up, and in recent years many more conscripts chose civil service over military service.

The New York Times

Its staff shrank by half over the last decade, and the 17-year-old oil spill research and development program that is associated with the office had its annual $750,000 in financing cut last year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shrunk by over half", ensure the context provides a clear baseline for comparison. For instance, specify what the subject "shrunk" from to give the reader a precise understanding of the extent of the reduction.

Common error

Avoid using "shrunk by over half" when the actual reduction is closer to half or slightly less. This phrase implies a more substantial decrease, so accuracy is essential to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shrunk by over half" functions as a descriptive modifier, quantifying the extent of reduction. It modifies a noun, indicating the degree to which something has diminished. Ludwig shows examples where this phrase is used to describe decreases in economies, populations, and even tumor sizes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shrunk by over half" is a grammatically correct and widely accepted way to describe a significant reduction, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating a substantial decrease, but also found in science. When using this phrase, ensure that the context provides a clear baseline for comparison. Ludwig's examples show a variety of contexts where this phrase can be useful, such as describing economic downturns or the effects of medical treatments. While accurate, avoid overstating the reduction and consider alternatives like "reduced by more than half" or "decreased by more than 50 percent" for specific purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reduced by more than half

Emphasizes the act of reducing something with a quantitative measure.

More than halved

A concise way of saying that something has been reduced to less than half its original size or amount.

Decreased by more than 50 percent

Provides a precise percentage-based quantification of the reduction.

Cut by more than 50%

Highlights the cutting action and quantifies the reduction using percentage.

Diminished by a significant margin

Highlights the substantial nature of the reduction, using a less precise term.

Markedly reduced

Stresses the noticeable or evident reduction in size, quantity, or amount.

Contracted by a considerable amount

Emphasizes the contraction or reduction in size or quantity.

Substantially lessened

Emphasizes the substantial decrease or lessening of something.

Fallen by a large proportion

Focuses on the falling or decreasing aspect of the reduction.

Significantly declined

Focuses on the declining or decreasing aspect of the reduction, highlighting its significance.

FAQs

How can I use "shrunk by over half" in a sentence?

You can use "shrunk by over half" to describe a significant decrease in size, quantity, or amount. For example: "The company's profits have "shrunk by over half" since last year."

What are some alternatives to saying "shrunk by over half"?

Alternatives include "reduced by more than half", "decreased by more than 50 percent", or "more than halved", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "shrunk by over half"?

Yes, "shrunk by over half" is a correct and usable phrase in English. It indicates a reduction of more than 50% from an original amount.

What is the difference between "shrunk by half" and "shrunk by over half"?

"Shrunk by half" means reduced to 50% of the original amount, while ""shrunk by over half"" implies a reduction to less than 50% of the original amount. The latter indicates a more significant decrease.