slashed by half

USAGE SUMMARY

"slashed by half" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a decrease in something (e.g. amount, price, size, etc.). For example, "The price of the coffee was slashed by half this week".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The estimates should have been slashed by half.

The New York Times - Arts

JPMorgan Chase, for example, has already slashed by half the value of its $1.2 billion holdings of the preferred shares.

The New York Times

For instance, 45percentt of Turkey's workforce is engaged in farming, a number that must be slashed by half or more to be competitive.

The New York Times

Couple that with having your budget slashed by half and losing more than half your staff and the job became an even greater challenge.

The Guardian - Opinion

A tour guide, his work slashed by half since Sept. 11, bantered with a group that came by bus from Minnesota.

The New York Times

But in October the government suddenly announced the FiT would soon be slashed by half from December, throwing their plan into uncertainty.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The same day, the casino operator Macau Legend Development announced it would slash by half an I.P.O. that had planned to raise nearly $800 million.

The New York Times

Other provisions would slash by half the budget of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was set up after the financial meltdown to protect consumers from predatory lending and other abuses, and reduce the pay of federal workers.

The New York Times

But the House of Representatives attempted to slash by half the $54 million proposed budget for JLENS in this year's National Defense Authorization Act.

Los Angeles Times

But the Guatemala center has suffered significant budget cuts since 2010, forcing Peruski to slash by half the staff of its flagship Field Epidemiology Training Program.

Vice

The first-place broadcast network, in a move aimed at quelling viewer backlash against the rising number of ads shoehorned into TV shows, told advertisers Thursday that it would slash by half the number of commercials next season for two of its most promising new dramas: "Fringe" produced by J.J. Abrams, and "Dollhouse," created by Joss Whedon.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing budget cuts or price reductions, "slashed by half" can effectively highlight the magnitude of the change. Use it to emphasize a significant decrease.

Common error

While "slashed by half" is acceptable in many contexts, it can sound too informal or sensational in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more neutral language like "reduced by 50 percent" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slashed by half" functions as a modifier, typically describing the extent of a reduction or decrease. It indicates that something has been reduced to 50% of its original value. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms the phrase's correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slashed by half" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a substantial reduction, typically to 50% of the original value. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, it might be too informal for academic or highly professional writing. Consider more precise alternatives like "reduced by 50 percent" in such cases. The phrase effectively emphasizes the magnitude and suddenness of the decrease, making it a useful tool for highlighting significant changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced by 50 percent

Uses a percentage to specify the reduction, providing a numerical value instead of the term 'half'.

cut in half

Employs a simpler verb, 'cut', to express the reduction, maintaining the core meaning.

halved

Replaces the phrase with a single verb, 'halved', for a more concise expression.

decreased by half

Substitutes 'slashed' with 'decreased', offering a more neutral tone.

diminished by 50%

Replaces 'slashed' with 'diminished', conveying a slightly more gradual reduction.

underwent a 50% reduction

Presents the reduction as an event, using a more formal and technical tone.

saw a fifty percent decrease

Similar to the previous phrase, emphasizes the occurrence of a reduction.

dropped by half

Replaces 'slashed' with 'dropped', implying a more sudden or abrupt reduction.

was reduced to 50% of its original value

Elaborates on the reduction, specifying the final value as a percentage of the initial value.

suffered a 50% loss

Implies a negative impact due to the reduction, framing it as a loss.

FAQs

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

You can use "slashed by half" to describe a significant reduction in something, such as "The budget was "slashed by half" due to the economic downturn".

What can I say instead of "slashed by half"?

You can use alternatives like "reduced by 50 percent", "cut in half", or "halved" depending on the context.

Is "slashed by half" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "slashed by half" might be too informal for academic or formal business writing. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "decreased by half".

What is the difference between "slashed by half" and "reduced by half"?

"Slashed by half" implies a more dramatic and sudden reduction, while "reduced by half" suggests a more gradual or planned decrease. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.