the half

USAGE SUMMARY

"the half" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a portion that is one-half of something. For example, "I only ate the half of the pizza that was left." Alternative expressions include "one half" and "a half."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

And that's the half!

The New York Times

Clams on the half shell.

The New York Times

I enjoyed the half time show.

The New Yorker

And that's the half of it.

Independent

I was the half of something".

The New Yorker

That is not the half of it.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"There's also the half-wit.

The Economist

The half-night was shadowland.

The New Yorker

(The half-Vulcan eventually wins).

The New York Times

The half-backs were impressive.

The Guardian - Sport

"I need to interview the half-wit".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the half" in sports contexts, ensure clarity by specifying what is being divided (e.g., "the first half", "the second half").

Common error

Avoid using "the half" without specifying what it refers to. For example, saying "I ate the half" is unclear. Instead, specify "I ate the half of the pizza."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the half" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct. The examples from Ludwig show a variety of usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the half" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote one of two equal parts of something. As evidenced by the numerous examples found by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, from sports and news to cooking and general conversation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While versatile, it is crucial to ensure clarity by specifying what "the half" refers to to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "one half of it" and "fifty percent of it", depending on the desired level of formality and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one half of it

A more formal way to express the same proportion.

half of the whole

Emphasizes that the 'half' is in relation to the entire amount.

fifty percent of it

More precise, specifying the exact proportion.

a moiety of it

Moiety is a more formal synonym for half.

a portion of it

Replaces "the half" with a more general term for a part.

a section of it

Similar to 'a portion', but emphasizes a defined part.

a segment of it

Implies a distinct piece or division.

part of it

General term for a fraction of something

a fraction of it

Implies a smaller, unspecified portion.

a share of it

Suggests a portion allocated or belonging to someone/something.

FAQs

How to use "the half" in a sentence?

"The half" typically refers to one of two equal parts of something. For instance, "I only ate "one half of the cake"." It can also refer to a period of time, such as "the first half" of a game.

What can I say instead of "the half"?

Alternatives include "one half", "fifty percent", or, depending on context, "a portion" or "a section".

Which is correct, "the half" or "a half"?

"The half" refers to a specific half that is already defined or understood. "A half" refers to any unspecified half. For example, "I ate the half I saved for later" vs. "I'll take a half."

What's the difference between "the half" and "half"?

"Half" can function as an adjective or noun. "The half" is a noun phrase referring to a specific half. For instance, "half price" (adjective) versus "the half of the game" (noun phrase).