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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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Half of which

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only half of which was true.

News & Media

The Guardian

He presently owns ten, half of which have been restored.

News & Media

The New Yorker

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

Independent

More than 8,000 abusive messages were directed towards Balotelli, over half of which were racist.

The EIF has a budget of about £10m – half of which comes from the public purse.

Last year Sky spent £2.6bn on programming, around half of which went on sport.

News & Media

The Guardian

That spells trouble for Japan's economy, half of which is driven by personal spending.

News & Media

The New York Times

There is a small supermarket next door, over half of which is given over to alcohol.

So far, the total pledged stands at $37.5bn, almost half of which comes from Japan.

News & Media

The Guardian

Over 40 film screenings, roughly half of which are New Jersey or area (Middlesex County) premieres.

News & Media

The New York Times

British soils contain around 10bn tonnes of carbon, half of which is found in peat habitats.

News & Media

The Guardian
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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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

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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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: