half
[hˈæf] /hˈæf/ (ame, ipa) · /hˈɑːf/ (bre, ipa)
half — noun
1. one of two identical pieces that together constitute a whole item or amount
one of two identical pieces that together constitute a whole item or amount
The students ate half of the pizza while waiting for the teacher to arrive.
half of + noun for an equal part
Apinya carefully cut the birthday cake and gave me half.
Please pour half of the water into the metal bowl before mixing the flour in slowly.
Liam saved half the pie for his sister after dinner.
文法句型
half of something
the half of something
用法筆記
When using 'half of', the verb usually agrees with the noun following the preposition.
常見錯誤
Confusing 'half of the' with 'the half of'. Often, 'the' is only needed when referring back to a specific half.
2. a reference to the point in time that is exactly thirty minutes following a spec
a reference to the point in time that is exactly thirty minutes following a specific hour
The train usually departs from the station at exactly half past eight every single weekday morning.
time expression: half past + hour
We scheduled our weekly meeting for half past three to accommodate the team members in London.
I will wait for you at the library entrance until half past six this coming Friday night.
The film starts at half past one, so don't be late.
文法句型
half past [time]
用法筆記
Only used to refer to the 30-minute mark; not used for other fractions of an hour.
常見錯誤
Saying 'half past two-thirty' which is redundant.
3. either of the two distinct time segments used to structure the duration of a com
either of the two distinct time segments used to structure the duration of a competitive match
The visiting team managed to score a goal during the final minute of the first half.
first half / second half in sports
After a very intense second half, the championship game ended in a frustrating goalless draw.
Hao left the first half after hurting his ankle.
Home fans sang loudly through the second half.
- interval
used in theater or general events
文法句型
first half
second half
用法筆記
Commonly used in sports like soccer or rugby. Use 'period' or 'quarter' for other sports.
常見錯誤
Using 'half' for games with four quarters, such as basketball.
4. a state of being incomplete or done in a manner that lacks full commitment or ex
a state of being incomplete or done in a manner that lacks full commitment or extent
Diya never does things by halves on school projects.
idiom: do things by halves
Adisa thought the delay was bad, but that wasn't the half of it.
The report was finished in a hurry and done by halves, leaving out several crucial financial details.
Mina never does anything by halves when planning a school fair.
文法句型
do things by halves
not the half of it
用法筆記
Idiomatic usage; often follows specific fixed phrase structures.
常見錯誤
Trying to use 'half' as a direct synonym for 'incomplete' in formal writing.
5. a significant or large proportion of a total duration or quantity
a significant or large proportion of a total duration or quantity
Asher spends half the time fixing problems he caused.
half the time for frequent occurrence
I lose my keys at least half the time when I am rushing to leave for work.
Hannah spends half the time answering calls from home.
We spend half the time fixing problems the app created.
- the majority
implies more than 50 percent
文法句型
half the time
用法筆記
Informal. It emphasizes that a large proportion of duration is spent doing something.
常見錯誤
Omitting 'the' before 'time'.
half — adjective
- halfpositive
- halfercomparative
- halfestsuperlative
1. representing one of two portions that are identical in size or capacity
representing one of two portions that are identical in size or capacity
Anya ordered a half sandwich and a bowl of soup.
before units: half sandwich / half gallon
We need to purchase a half gallon of milk for the recipe we are cooking tonight.
The store offers a half price discount on all winter items starting early next Monday morning.
The cafe offered half portions for children at lunchtime.
文法句型
half [noun]
用法筆記
Used as a pre-modifier before a noun.
常見錯誤
Using 'halved' instead of 'half' when acting as a pre-modifier adjective.
2. possessing only a portion of the expected characteristics or completeness
possessing only a portion of the expected characteristics or completeness
I found a half finished book on the table that I started reading several months ago.
before participle: half finished
There was a half eaten apple sitting on the desk when I returned to my classroom.
The construction project remains a half completed structure due to unexpected shortages in building supplies this year.
A half finished scarf still hung beside the knitting chair.
用法筆記
Often combined with past participles to create compound adjectives.
常見錯誤
Using 'half' as an adverb here without a hyphen, though usage is acceptable in informal contexts.
3. roughly equivalent to the midpoint of a numerical or physical total
roughly equivalent to the midpoint of a numerical or physical total
Kian finished half the race before his ankle gave out.
half + measure of time or distance
After a half hour wait, the receptionist finally called our name for the scheduled doctor's appointment.
We planned a half day trip to the mountain lake.
The hike took half a day because the trail was muddy.
用法筆記
Used to denote an approximate unit of time or measurement.
常見錯誤
Confusing the exact meaning of 'half' with the approximate sense in measurement contexts.
4. describing siblings who share only one biological father or mother
describing siblings who share only one biological father or mother
Elise has a half sister who teaches art in Paris.
family term: half sister / half brother
Liam and Christopher grew up together, though they are half brothers.
Joao recently met a half sister through his father.
Nora and Mia share a father, so they are half sisters.
用法筆記
Specific term used in family relationships to indicate a single shared parent.
常見錯誤
Using 'half-sibling' incorrectly in contexts involving adoption.
half — adverb
1. to a degree that is less than entirely, often implying the midway point
to a degree that is less than entirely, often implying the midway point
I half expected him to apologize after our argument this afternoon.
half + adjective or participle
The crowd felt half convinced the band would cancel.
The toddler was half asleep on the sofa after playing outside in the garden all day.
The baby was half awake when the phone rang.
文法句型
half + [adjective/past participle]
用法筆記
Used to modify adjectives or participles indicating a partial state.
常見錯誤
Using 'halfly' which is not a word.
2. in a way that distributes quantity into two balanced portions
in a way that distributes quantity into two balanced portions
The drink was mixed half orange juice and half sparkling water to make it taste lighter.
half X and half Y
We painted the living room walls half white and half grey to create a modern aesthetic.
The dessert was half chocolate cake and half creamy strawberry mousse, served on a large platter.
The flag was painted half blue and half white.
文法句型
half [X] and half [Y]
用法筆記
Used in the 'half X and half Y' pattern to describe proportional composition.
常見錯誤
Forgetting to include the conjunction 'and' between the two parts.
3. used for emphasis to express that something is not at all the case
used for emphasis to express that something is not at all the case
The soup was not half bad for a first attempt.
negative phrase: not half as + adjective
The new manager is not half as strict as everyone feared.
The choir sounded not half bad after one rehearsal.
The test was not half as hard as we expected.
文法句型
not half + [adjective]
用法筆記
Mainly British English, used in negative contexts for ironic or emphatic effect.
常見錯誤
Using this structure in formal professional writing.