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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
Half of which
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase 'half of which' is correct and usable in written English
You can use it to refer to a group or quantity of which only half is specified or mentioned. For example: "We received 50 items yesterday, half of which were defective."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Encyclopedias
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Only half of which was true.
News & Media
He presently owns ten, half of which have been restored.
News & Media
The centrepiece of James Button's eloquent design is a composite wooden structure – half of which can be lit up as crucifix and half of which is a gallows.
News & Media
More than 8,000 abusive messages were directed towards Balotelli, over half of which were racist.
News & Media
The EIF has a budget of about £10m – half of which comes from the public purse.
News & Media
Last year Sky spent £2.6bn on programming, around half of which went on sport.
News & Media
That spells trouble for Japan's economy, half of which is driven by personal spending.
News & Media
There is a small supermarket next door, over half of which is given over to alcohol.
News & Media
So far, the total pledged stands at $37.5bn, almost half of which comes from Japan.
News & Media
Over 40 film screenings, roughly half of which are New Jersey or area (Middlesex County) premieres.
News & Media
British soils contain around 10bn tonnes of carbon, half of which is found in peat habitats.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
✓ Best practice
Use "half of which" to clearly indicate that you are referring to exactly 50% of a previously mentioned group or quantity. Ensure the antecedent is unambiguous for clarity.
⚠ Common error
Avoid using "half of which" when referring to singular nouns or uncountable nouns where dividing into halves doesn't make sense. For example, it would be incorrect to say "the water, half of which was polluted" since water is uncountable. Instead, use "part of which" or rephrase the sentence.
Linguistic Context
The phrase "half of which" functions as a relative clause, providing additional information about a previously mentioned noun phrase. It specifies that a particular characteristic or condition applies to 50% of that noun. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.
Expression frequency: Very common
✓ Frequent in
News & Media
45%
Science
25%
Formal & Business
15%
⚠ Less common in
Encyclopedias
5%
Social Media
5%
Reference
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "half of which" is a versatile relative clause that allows writers to clearly specify that 50% of a previously mentioned quantity or group is being referred to. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news, scientific, and business contexts. To ensure correct usage, it's crucial to maintain number agreement and use alternative phrasing when referring to singular or uncountable nouns. Alternatives like "fifty percent of which" or "a moiety of which" can also be used for stylistic variation. Avoiding misuse will keep your writing clear and precise.
Alternative expressions
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
fifty percent of which
Replaces "half" with its numerical equivalent, maintaining the same proportional meaning. Can feel more precise.
one half of which
More verbose but emphasizes the fraction explicitly.
which constitutes half
Emphasizes that the specified element forms a half of a bigger group.
a moiety of which
Uses the term "moiety" for "half", providing a more formal or technical tone. Suitable for scientific or legal contexts.
a section comprising half
Highlights that the section represents exactly the half of a bigger element.
a proportion equaling half
Emphasizes that the portion is equivalent to half, adding formality.
More alternative expressions(6)
FAQs
How can I use "half of which" in a sentence?
Use "half of which" to refer back to a previously mentioned quantity or group, specifying that 50% of it has a particular characteristic. For example, "The company produced 100 units, "half of which" were sold within the first week."
What are some alternatives to "half of which"?
Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "fifty percent of which", "a moiety of which", or "one half of which" to convey a similar meaning.
Is it always necessary to use "of which" after "half"?
While "half" can sometimes stand alone, using "of which" is crucial when you are referring back to a specific group or quantity mentioned earlier in the sentence or paragraph. Without it, the connection may be unclear.
Can "half of which" be used with singular nouns?
No, "half of which" is typically used with plural nouns or quantities that can be divided. With singular or uncountable nouns, consider alternatives such as "part of which" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
90%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested