under half of the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under half of the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that is less than 50% of a specified amount or group. Example: "Under half of the participants completed the survey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just under half of the women were killed by knives.

The Guardian

Just under half of the population lives in rented accommodation.

The Economist

The jitter amount should be controlled under half of the grid smallest spacing.

Stanford University

He and his side of the family hold just under half of the company.

The Guardian - Money

They make up well under half of the nearly one million Americans receiving stents annually.

The New York Times - Health

Just under half of the respondents plan to ask for additional guidance.

The Guardian - Money

Mr. Bush received just under half of the Catholic vote in 2000.

The New York Times

In that year just under half of the fund's holdings were in UK listed stocks.

The Guardian

Just under half of the investors had taken money away from their advisers.

The New York Times

This is just under half of the 7.82 million adults who had never used the internet.

The Guardian

Just under half of the people interviewed thought that politicians spoke for issues specific to them.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under half of the", ensure the context clearly defines the total amount or group you are referring to. This avoids ambiguity and makes your statement more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "under half of the" without a clear reference to what constitutes the 'whole'. Vague references can confuse readers. Always specify the total when using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under half of the" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, specifying that the noun represents a quantity that is less than 50% of a defined whole. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "under half of the" is a commonly used prepositional phrase to indicate a quantity or proportion less than 50%. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "less than half of the" or "a minority of the" exist, the choice depends on the desired nuance. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the 'whole' to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less than half of the

Replaces "under" with "less than", providing a more direct expression of quantity.

just below half of the

Indicates that the quantity is only slightly less than half.

fewer than half of the

Emphasizes a smaller number, suitable when referring to countable items.

slightly less than half of the

Adds emphasis to the fact that the number is only slightly smaller than a half.

not quite half of the

Adds a nuance of approximation and slight deficiency from a full half.

a minority of the

Shifts focus to the smaller portion of a group, implying less than half.

a little under 50% of the

Specifies the quantity more precisely by adding percentage.

a portion less than 50% of the

Uses a percentage to specify the quantity more precisely.

something less than half of the

Adds an element of uncertainty regarding the number, since it is 'something'.

approaching half, but not quite

Focuses on an approximation with the quantity close to a half, but not reaching it.

FAQs

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

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

What can I say instead of "under half of the"?

You can use alternatives like "less than half of the", "fewer than half of the", or "a minority of the" depending on the context.

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

Both "less than half" and "under half" are generally acceptable, but "less than half" is often considered more direct and precise. The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

What is the difference between "under half of the" and "slightly less than half of the"?

"Slightly less than half of the" implies that the quantity is very close to 50%, while "under half of the" simply indicates that it is less than 50% without specifying how close it is.