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half

half (of)​

We use half or half of mostly before a noun with a determiner (article, possessive or demonstrative). We do not normally put a or the before half in this case.

  • She spends half (of) her time travelling. (not She spends a/the half …)
  • I gave him half (of) a cheese pie to keep him quiet.

When half (of) is followed by a plural noun, the verb is plural.

  • Half (of) my friends live abroad. (not Half of my friends lives …)

Of is not used in expressions of measurement and quantity.

  • I live half a mile from here. (not … half of a mile …)
  • I just need half a loaf of bread. (not … half of a loaf …)
  • The train was half an hour late. (AmE also … a half hour …)

We use half of before pronouns.

  • ‘Did you like the books?’ ‘I’ve only read half of them.’

No following noun​

Half can be used without a following noun, if the meaning is clear.

  • I’ve bought some chocolate. You can have half. (not … the half.)

the half​

We use the before half if we are saying which half we mean. Before a noun, of is used in this case.

  • Would you like the big half or the small half?
  • I didn’t like the second half of the film.

half a and a half​

Half usually comes before the article a/an, but it is possible to put it after in expressions of measurement.

  • Could I have half a pound of grapes? (or … a half pound …)

one and a half​

The expression one and a half goes with a plural noun. Compare:

  • I’ve been waiting for one and a half hours. (not … one and a half hour.)
  • I’ve been waiting for an hour and a half.
note

For more information about numbers and counting expressions, (see here).

For half in clock times (e.g. half past two), (see here).