were halfway through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were halfway through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a process, task, or event is at the midpoint of its duration or completion. Example: "We were halfway through the project when we encountered unexpected challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"We were halfway through the year before we knew what we were doing at all".

The New York Times - Sports

The group were halfway through the trip when they were attacked.

The Guardian

When they were, Mr. Campo seized the chance, even though "we were halfway through the season".

The New York Times

They were halfway through a weeklong engagement together, apparently their first.

The New York Times - Arts

Ian and Mary Cameron were halfway through a two-week holiday when he was taken ill.

The Guardian

But nothing came of it — she didn't like me, and I could see that before we were halfway through dinner.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

He's halfway through".

The New Yorker

We're halfway through.

The Guardian - Sport

She's halfway through.

The New York Times

We are halfway through "The Hurt Locker".

The New York Times

"We're halfway through the contract.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the subject when using "were halfway through". Ensure that the subject logically connects to the process or activity being referenced.

Common error

Avoid assuming that being "halfway through" automatically implies equal remaining effort. Complex tasks often have varying levels of difficulty throughout their duration, so the second half may require significantly more (or less) time and resources than the first.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were halfway through" functions as a modifier indicating the extent of completion of an action or event. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it describes progress in tasks, time periods, or journeys.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were halfway through" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is at its midpoint. Ludwig's analysis indicates it is frequently used in news and media to describe the progress of various events or tasks. While versatile, writers should be mindful of the potential for unequal effort distribution in the remaining half. Alternatives like "at the midpoint" or "fifty percent complete" offer similar meanings, but "were halfway through" remains a clear and easily understood way to communicate progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

halfway there

A common idiom that expresses encouragement about being at the midpoint of a task.

at the halfway mark

Similar to 'halfway point' but uses 'mark' to denote a specific point of progress.

halfway to completion

Emphasizes the progress made toward finishing a task or goal.

midway point reached

Highlights the achievement of reaching the middle stage of a journey or project.

at the midpoint

Replaces the figurative 'halfway' with a literal description of being at the middle point.

fifty percent complete

A more quantitative and precise way to express that half of something has been finished.

in the middle stages

Focuses on being within the central phases of an ongoing process.

half the distance covered

Specifically relates to physical or metaphorical distances, indicating that half has been traversed.

half-done

A more concise and informal way of saying that something is fifty percent completed.

approaching the midpoint

Suggests that the middle is near, but not yet reached.

FAQs

How can I use "were halfway through" in a sentence?

You can use "were halfway through" to indicate that you've reached the middle point of a task, process, or period. For example, "We "were halfway through" the project when the budget was cut."

What phrases are similar to "were halfway through"?

Similar phrases include "at the midpoint", "fifty percent complete", or "halfway to completion". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "were halfway through" or "were in the middle of"?

"Were halfway through" specifically indicates the 50% completion mark, while "were in the middle of" is more general and suggests being somewhere between the beginning and end, but not necessarily precisely at the midpoint.

Can "were halfway through" be used for both time and tasks?

Yes, "were halfway through" can be used for both. For example, "We "were halfway through" the year" (time) or "We "were halfway through" the report" (task).