slightly over half

USAGE SUMMARY

"slightly over half" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is more than 50%. For example, "There were slightly over half of the original group of people in attendance at the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chinese solar panel manufacturers accounted for slightly over half the world's production last year.

The New York Times

Just slightly over half of school-age children are actually enrolled in school.

The New York Times

It reckoned that the Shining Path was responsible for slightly over half the killings, and the security forces for 37%.

The Economist

Slightly over half said that their household income provided them with just enough money to pay their bills.

The New York Times

And if slightly over half the population are women, it's incredibly important that women are at the table.

The New York Times

Only the section between Middle Neck Road and Bayview Avenue, slightly over half a mile long, is being rebuilt.

The New York Times

Despite being slightly over half of the population, women only make up around a fifth of the technical staff at huge Silicon Valley firms like Facebook and Google.

Independent

Slightly over half the participants (57.5 %) were students in public schools.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Slightly over half of the patients suffered from septic shock states due to pneumonia (51%).

Annals of Intensive Care

At this time, slightly over half of childcare centers in PEI were for-profit.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

Slightly over half of the participants (58%) were first-time online students.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly over half" when precision is not critical, but a general indication of quantity exceeding 50% is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly over half" to describe results when the difference from exactly 50% is statistically insignificant or practically meaningless. Choose a more neutral phrasing to prevent misleading the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly over half" functions as a quantifier, indicating a proportion marginally exceeding 50%. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used to express an amount that is just a bit more than half of a total.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly over half" is a versatile and frequently used phrase to indicate a quantity that's a bit more than 50%. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s grammatically correct and suitable for describing proportions across various contexts, from scientific research to news reports. While it is commonly found in both science and news media, remember to use it appropriately, avoiding overstating its significance when the difference from 50% is negligible. Consider alternatives like "just above fifty percent" or "a bare majority" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just above fifty percent

Specifies a percentage close to 50% with the adverb "just".

a little more than half

Uses "a little more" to express a small increment above half.

marginally above fifty percent

Replaces "slightly" with "marginally", conveying a similar sense of a small amount over half.

a bare majority

Indicates the smallest possible majority.

fractionally more than half

Uses "fractionally" to emphasize the small difference over half.

a slim majority

Suggests a majority that is not substantial.

somewhat more than fifty percent

Uses "somewhat" to soften the degree to which it exceeds 50%.

a shade over fifty percent

Employs "a shade" to imply a barely noticeable difference.

exceeding fifty percent by a small margin

Expresses the idea in a more verbose and formal manner.

fifty-something percent

A more casual way of expressing the approximate percentage.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly over half" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly over half" to describe a proportion or quantity that is a little more than 50%. For instance, "Slightly over half of the participants agreed with the proposal."

What are some alternatives to "slightly over half"?

You can use alternatives like "just above fifty percent", "a little more than half", or "a bare majority" to convey a similar meaning.

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

Yes, "slightly over half" is generally acceptable in formal writing, although more precise language might be preferred when exact figures are available. Consider phrases like "marginally above fifty percent" for increased formality.

What is the difference between "slightly over half" and "just under half"?

"Slightly over half" means a bit more than 50%, whereas "just under half" means a bit less than 50%. They represent opposite sides of the midpoint.