slightly more than half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly more than half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that exceeds 50% but is not significantly higher, often in contexts involving statistics or proportions. Example: "In the survey, slightly more than half of the participants indicated that they preferred option A over option B."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Slightly more than half of the undergraduates are women.

Cornell University

Only slightly more than half of it can harvested regularly.

The Washington Post

Explosive devices accounted for slightly more than half the deaths.

The New York Times

Slightly more than half the population lives in urban areas.

Britannica

Slightly more than half the patients have died.

The New York Times

I think slightly more than half our fellow-guests came.

The New Yorker

Slightly more than half reported memory changes, at an average age of 82.

Harvard University

Slightly more than half (51.5percentt) of those admitted are men.

Harvard University

Only slightly more than half of adults are getting the recommended amount of exercise.

Harvard University

Dastar's Campaigns series is slightly more than half as long as the original Crusade television series.

Harvard University

Slightly more than half had obstructive sleep apnea, which was generally mild, and not being treated.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "just over half" or "a bit more than half" for variety in your writing, especially when repeating the phrase within a short span.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly more than half" when the intention is to describe a substantially larger proportion. This phrase indicates a marginal difference, not a significant one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly more than half" functions as a quantifying expression, specifying a proportion marginally exceeding 50%. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is grammatically sound and suitable for diverse contexts. The word "slightly" qualifies the degree to which the quantity exceeds half.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly more than half" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a proportion that is marginally above 50%. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and appropriateness across various contexts. While frequently found in scientific, news, and academic writing, it's important to distinguish it from terms implying a significant majority. Using synonyms can enrich writing, but always ensure the chosen phrase accurately reflects the intended meaning. When clarity and precision are paramount, providing exact percentages may be preferable. As seen from various examples, this phrase is commonly used to present information about a population or sample, and describe what is just above the median.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just over half

Indicates a proportion that is a little more than 50%, similar to the original phrase but using different wording.

a bit more than half

Uses 'bit' to soften the increase over half, indicating a small increment.

a little over 50 percent

More explicitly states the percentage, providing a numeric reference point.

marginally above 50%

Emphasizes the small margin by which the proportion exceeds 50%.

fractionally greater than half

Highlights the minimal difference over half with the use of the word 'fractionally'.

in excess of 50 percent

Uses 'in excess' to denote a quantity that is more than 50 percent.

a slim majority

Implies a small winning margin or a slight advantage.

barely over the halfway mark

Indicates crossing the 50% threshold with minimal excess.

something like 55%

Specifies a possible percentage that is "slightly more than half".

around 50 percent or a little better

Expresses the quantity with a degree of uncertainty, implying an approximate value slightly above 50%.

FAQs

What does "slightly more than half" mean?

It means a quantity or proportion that is a little over 50%. It indicates that something is just past the halfway point, but not by a large margin.

What can I say instead of "slightly more than half"?

You can use alternatives like "just over half", "a bit more than half", or "a slim majority", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "slightly more than half" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate. The phrase is clear and concise, making it suitable for formal writing. However, consider using more precise language (e.g., "55%") if the exact figure is known and relevant.

How does "slightly more than half" differ from "significantly more than half"?

"Slightly more than half" indicates a small margin over 50%, while "significantly more than half" suggests a much larger proportion. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you want to convey.