well below half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "well below half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity or measurement that is significantly less than fifty percent of a whole. Example: "The survey results showed that the approval rating was well below half, indicating a lack of support for the proposed policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The incomes of the very poorest are likely to be well below half that.

The Guardian

At ¥1,900, Fast Retailing's fleece jacket is well below half of Gap's price.

The Economist

She said the percentage of those devices with touch screens was "well below half, but it's growing".

The New York Times

Here's the official line from the Treasury: "The latest figures show that inflation remains below the target rate and well below half of the peak in September 2011.

The Guardian - Business

That is well below half the $19 offering price paid last year, but Enron said it was more than the companies who were approached about acquiring Azurix had been willing to pay.

The New York Times

Ninety-nine per cent of the eighteen million bikes sold nationwide in 2014 were imported, according to the National Bicycle Dealers Association, and the number of bikes made with mostly U.S. parts is well below half a per cent.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

His conclusion is reassuring: The cautious and conservative figures used here suggest that the impact of reset sensitivity and subsequent default will be one percent or less of annual mortgage lending, and well below one-half percent of total mortgage debt outstanding.

The New York Times

Although first-time buyer numbers rose in 2014 – to just over 300,000 – the figure was well below the half a million a year previously regarded as normal.

The Guardian - Money

These fibers are entirely consistent with those observed by fluorescent cytology, as this diameter would be well below the half-wavelength resolution limit of the light microscope and consistent with their appearance as thin fibers.

Plosone

"That is now well down - somewhere below half are the latest figures I have seen so I think that is a very real achievement".

Independent

"In absolute numbers, then, the North suffered deaths equal to about two and one half times the number of Americans killed in Vietnam, and the South experienced well below one and a half times the deaths of American soldiers in Vietnam," Neely writes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "well below half", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for what constitutes "half". This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the comparison is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "well below half" when the actual difference from half is negligible. Ensure the deviation is substantial enough to warrant emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well below half" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a quantity that is significantly less than 50%. As noted by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct and common. The examples showcase its use in various contexts, like describing prices, percentages, or support levels.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well below half" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that indicates a quantity significantly less than 50%. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in scientific and formal business writing. When using this phrase, make sure the context provides a clear reference for what constitutes "half", and ensure the deviation from half is substantial enough to warrant emphasis. Alternatives such as "significantly less than half" or "far below half" may be used for varying degrees of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly less than half

Emphasizes the notable difference from half, using "significantly" for stress.

considerably under half

Replaces "well below" with "considerably under" to convey a substantial reduction.

far below half

Uses "far below" for greater emphasis on the distance from half.

substantially less than 50%

Replaces the qualitative description with a quantitative one, specifying the percentage.

markedly lower than half

Uses "markedly lower" to highlight the noticeable decrease compared to half.

a small fraction of half

Indicates a tiny proportion relative to half, emphasizing the smallness.

nowhere near half

Uses a more emphatic and informal tone to express the distance from half.

a minority portion of half

Focuses on the concept of it being a minority, or smaller part, of half.

a reduced amount compared to half

Highlights the reduced state of the amount relative to half.

significantly under 50 percent

A more formal and precise way to state the quantity is less than half.

FAQs

How can I use "well below half" in a sentence?

You can use "well below half" to describe a quantity or percentage that is significantly less than 50%. For example: "The attendance was "well below half", indicating a lack of interest."

What are some alternatives to saying "well below half"?

Alternatives include "significantly less than half", "considerably under half", or "far below half". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it more appropriate to use "well below half" or "much less than half"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "well below half" often implies a slightly greater degree of difference than "much less than half". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something is described as "well below half"?

It means that the quantity or measurement is significantly less than fifty percent of a whole. The phrase emphasizes that the value is not just slightly under half, but considerably so.