Cool MateHalf vs Portion
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Half
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Portion
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Most common: Half
| Half | Portion | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/hɑːf/","/hɑːvz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/hæf/","/hævz/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpɔːʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpɔːrʃn/"]/ |
| Meaning | One of two equal parts of something. | a part of something larger |
| Example | I only finished half of my homework. | I only ate a small portion of the pie, as I wasn't really hungry. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | first, second, last, by half, in half, in the… half, about half, almost half, around half, first, second, last, by half, in half, in the… half, about half, almost half, around half | considerable, good, huge, make up, take up, portion of, double, generous, large, eat, portion of, divide something into portions, considerable, good, huge, make up, take up, portion of |
| Antonyms | whole, full | whole, entirety, total |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'whole' when describing completeness., Using 'halfs' as the plural (correct is 'halves'). | Using 'portion' with plural nouns (e.g., 'portions of food' is correct, but don't say 'portion of foods')., Confusing 'portion' with 'proportion', which refers to a ratio., Using 'portion' when referring to an entire object instead of a part. |
| Usage notes | Used in everyday conversation as well as in written contexts. It's appropriate for both formal and informal situations, like asking for half a pizza or describing a study that used half the participants. | Use 'portion' when you refer to a part of food, quantity, or share. It's neutral and suitable for everyday conversations and formal writing. Avoid using it when discussing something that can't be divided easily. |
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Frequently asked questions: Half vs Portion
What's the difference between Half and Portion?
Half: One of two equal parts of something. Portion: a part of something larger
Which is more common: Half and Portion?
Half is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Half and Portion?
Portion is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Half and Portion the same CEFR level?
Half: A1, Portion: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Half and Portion?
Half: noun, Portion: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Half: I only finished half of my homework. Portion: I only ate a small portion of the pie, as I wasn't really hungry.
Can I use Half and Portion interchangeably?
Not always. Half and Portion are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.