the half of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the half of something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a portion or division of an object, quantity, or concept that is equal to 50% of the whole. Example: "I only managed to eat the half of something that was on my plate before I felt full."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I was the half of something".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He flipped on the television and watched half of something dumb.

The New Yorker

"I can only have half of something," the Earl said to his son.

The New Yorker

Those longings to hit the open road from time to time, to discover whether you could still live alone inside your own head, to discover whether you could manage to survive in a cabin in the woods without going mad; to discover, in short, whether you were still whole after so many years of being half of something (like the back two legs of a horse outfit on the vaudeville stage).

The Guardian - Books

The certainty of being herself instead of half of something else?

The Guardian - Books

Its name has been an issue too — running "half" of something doesn't sound too impressive around the water cooler.

The New York Times

In an interview, Mr. Law, 45, said, "It's better to have half of something than all of nothing".

The New York Times

On a sunny day, treat yourself to a half of something extraordinary in Timberyard's beautiful, rugged walled garden.

The Guardian - Travel

It was difficult simulating fire on Eckhart because it is inherently unrealistic for only half of something to burn.

Wikipedia

As the political debate was growing, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, a trade group, reported that the amount of outstanding credit-default swaps declined in the first half of 2008, something that had never happened before.

The New York Times

In the latter half of 1862, something remarkable happened.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the half of something" to emphasize that you're referring to a specific half, rather than just any portion. This can be useful when the context requires clarity, especially when referring to time periods or structured entities.

Common error

Avoid using "a half of something" when "half of something" or "the half of something" is more appropriate. "A half" typically refers to one specific, identifiable half.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the half of something" functions as a partitive, indicating a specific portion or division of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English. The examples illustrate its use in diverse contexts, highlighting a segment of time, an object, or an abstract concept.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the half of something" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, serving to specify a particular portion or division of a whole. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While not overly formal, it offers a clear and specific way to refer to a distinct segment. For alternatives, consider "half of something" or, for more formal contexts, "one half of something". To improve clarity, avoid using "a half of something" when "the" is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

half of something

Omits "the", making it more direct but slightly less specific.

one half of something

More formal and explicit about the division.

a portion of something

Replaces "half" with "a portion", indicating an unspecified part.

part of something

Uses "part" instead of "half", suggesting a non-specific fraction.

a fraction of something

Emphasizes that it is a smaller or incomplete part.

fifty percent of something

Replaces the qualitative "half" with a quantitative measurement.

a piece of something

Suggests a tangible, separable component.

a share of something

Implies ownership or distribution of the portion.

an element of something

Focuses on the component aspect rather than the quantitative division.

some of something

Indicates an unspecified quantity, less precise than "half".

FAQs

How does "the half of something" differ from "half of something"?

"The half of something" implies a specific or identifiable half, while "half of something" is more general. Using "the" suggests you're referring to a particular portion already known or defined in the context.

Is it correct to say "a half of something" instead of "the half of something"?

While grammatically possible, "a half of something" is less common and may sound awkward. Use "the half of something" or simply "half of something" for better clarity and flow.

Can I use "the half of something" to refer to time periods?

Yes, "the half of something" can refer to time periods such as "the first half of the year" or "the second half of the game". However, "half of the year" or "half of the game" are equally acceptable and more common.

What are some alternatives to "the half of something" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "one half of something" or "fifty percent of something" for increased precision and clarity. Also consider "a portion of something".