under half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that is less than fifty percent of a whole. Example: "The survey results showed that under half of the participants preferred option A over option B."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just under half of Democrats oppose.

The Washington Post

Together they hold just under half of all the shares.

Independent

Just under half of the population lives in rented accommodation.

The Economist

Canada is ninth, just under half a match behind Scotland.

The New York Times

Just under half of those sponsors used consultants.

The New York Times

Just under half of last year's votes were cast online.

The Guardian

Just under half a million dollars a year.

The New Yorker

Just under half of the women were killed by knives.

The Guardian

A little under half of us volunteer beneath the radar.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just under half of them expired on 9 August.

The Guardian

Just under half this tonnage is sold illegally.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under half", ensure the context clearly defines the whole being referenced. For instance, specify "under half of the budget" rather than just "under half".

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader knows what "half" refers to. Always clarify the total quantity or group to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under half" functions as a quantifier, indicating a quantity less than 50% of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under half" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express that a quantity is less than 50% of a whole. As Ludwig AI confirms, it enjoys widespread use across various contexts, from news reports to academic papers. While it's generally acceptable in both formal and informal settings, ensure clarity by specifying what "half" refers to. For situations demanding greater precision, alternatives like "less than half" or "below fifty percent" may be preferable. Remember to avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating the total quantity when using "under half".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less than half

Uses a more direct comparison, simply stating the quantity is smaller than half.

below fifty percent

Replaces "half" with its numerical equivalent, making the statement more precise.

under fifty per cent

Expresses the same meaning with the numerical representation of percentage.

a minority

Indicates that the group is smaller than half, focusing on its subordinate status.

not up to half

Emphasizes that the quantity does not reach the halfway point.

smaller portion

Highlights the size of the quantity relative to the whole.

lesser share

Focuses on the comparative amount or allotment.

a fraction less than half

Highlights that it is only marginally smaller than half.

short of half

Implies that it is near to, but has not reached, the halfway mark.

scarcely half

Indicates that the quantity is barely close to being half.

FAQs

How can I use "under half" in a sentence?

You can use "under half" to indicate a quantity that is less than 50% of a whole. For example, "Under half of the students passed the exam."

What's a good alternative to "under half"?

Alternatives include "less than half", "below fifty percent", or "a minority" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "less than half" or "under half"?

"Less than half" is generally considered slightly more formal, while "under half" is suitable for most contexts. The difference is minimal.

What does "under half" imply about the quantity?

It implies that the quantity is significantly less than half. If it were very close to half, phrases like "nearly half" or "almost half" would be more appropriate.