the first half-year

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the first half-year" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the initial six months of a year or a specific period of time. Example: "The company's profits increased significantly during the first half-year, leading to optimistic forecasts for the remainder of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Its order book in the first half-year was up 30percentt, at $45 billion, before the Chinese deal.

The New York Times

We brought in Ilkay Gündogan and in the first half-year he had two, three, maybe four games before he started becoming the player he is now.

The Guardian - Sport

Last week, Renault bucked a trend among many European automakers by reporting that its net income in the first half-year rose 32percentto to 1.18 billion euros.

The New York Times

About 78% of the cars built in UK factories in the first half-year were destined for other countries, with the EU the biggest market.

The Guardian - Business

Presenting its half-year results, the company said net sales dropped 8percentto to 2.3 billion euros ($2.6 billion), from a year ago, while the figures adjusted for the exchange-rate effect rose 3percentt in the first half-year.

The New York Times

In a 12 February interview with the Russian state news agency Tass, Transnistria's leader, Yevgeny Shevchuk, acknowledged that "the prognosis for our economy for the first half-year [of 2015] is negative".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

DUI-checkpoints were found to be most effective during the first half year.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

Little is known about the first half year of life of individuals later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Early Human Development

"The first half year, I didn't even look at the blog," Berit said.

The New Yorker

The date of the cover is striking: June/July 1989 within the first half year of the Bush presidency.

Princeton University

"Rapid expansion of bank loans in the first half year boosted the country's economic growth," said Liu Mingkang, China's top banking regulator.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience when choosing between "the first half-year" and more specific alternatives like "January to June". The latter may be more appropriate for technical reports or documents where precision is paramount.

Common error

Avoid assuming that everyone understands what "the first half-year" refers to in all contexts. In some industries or regions, fiscal years may not align with the calendar year, so be clear about the period you're discussing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the first half-year" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It denotes a specific period of time, namely the initial six months of a given year. As Ludwig AI explains, this is a common and grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

48%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the first half-year" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that refers to the initial six months of a year. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is perfectly acceptable for use in English writing. Its frequency and diverse contextual presence—spanning news, science, and formal business settings—underscore its versatility. While alternatives such as "the initial six months" or "January to June" exist, choosing the right phrase depends on the desired level of precision and the target audience. When using "the first half-year", ensure that the year is clear to avoid ambiguity and consider the potential for misinterpretation if the context involves non-calendar fiscal years.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the initial six months

Replaces the hyphenated term and uses a more explicit description of the timeframe.

the beginning half of the year

Emphasizes the starting point of the year, using a slightly more descriptive phrasing.

the first semester of the year

Employs academic terminology to describe the same time period, suitable for educational contexts.

the first six-month period

Adds redundancy for emphasis, clarifying the length of the period in question.

the first portion of the year

Uses a more general term to indicate the initial part of the year, suitable when exact duration is not critical.

January to June

Specifies the months included in the period, offering a very precise alternative.

the first part of the year

Generalizes the timeframe, losing some of the precision of "half-year".

the opening half of the year

Uses "opening" to convey the start of the year.

the first conference

Refers to the initial time period within the year, with implication as an event.

the first stage of the year

Implies a process or project divided into stages.

FAQs

How can I use "the first half-year" in a sentence?

You can use "the first half-year" to describe a period from January to June. For example, "The company experienced significant growth in "the first half-year"."

What are some alternatives to saying "the first half-year"?

Alternatives include "the initial six months", "the beginning half of the year", or "the first semester of the year" depending on the context.

Is "the first half-year" the same as "the second half-year"?

No, "the first half-year" refers to January to June, while "the second half-year" refers to July to December. They represent different six-month periods of the same year.

When is it appropriate to use "the first half-year" in business writing?

It's appropriate when discussing financial performance, project timelines, or strategic planning that covers the period from January to June. Be clear about the specific year you're referencing.