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half of the population is vs half of the population are

Both "half of the population is" and "half of the population are" can be correct, depending on the context. When referring to a singular entity, such as a collective group, use "is." When referring to the individuals within the group, use "are."

Last updated: March 21, 2024 • 6262 views

half of the population is

This phrase is correct when referring to a singular entity or collective group.

Use "half of the population is" when referring to the population as a single entity or collective group.

Examples:

  • Half of the population is under the age of 30.
  • Half of the population is affected by the new policy.
  • half of the population is younger. The median age is often used to describe the “ age” of a popula- tion. In 2010, the median age increased to a new high of 37.2.
  • Nov 1, 2010 ... In Europe, a bit more than half of the population is at least bilingual. Smaller countries such as Luxembourg, Switzerland, and The Netherlands ...
  • Oct 23, 2013 ... It also includes "3,178,000 who got veterans' benefits" If your goal is to make it look like half of the population is getting things they don't ...
  • Jan 13, 2015 ... America is capitalist and greedy – yet half of the population is subsidized. 2. Half of the population is subsidized – yet they think they are victims ...

Alternatives:

  • A large portion of the population is
  • A significant percentage of the population is
  • A majority of the population is
  • A minority of the population is
  • A fraction of the population is

half of the population are

This phrase is correct when referring to the individuals within the population.

Use "half of the population are" when referring to the individuals within the population.

Examples:

  • Half of the population are students.
  • Half of the population are immigrants.
  • Protestantism: Practiced mostly in the United States, where half of the population are Protestant, and Canada, with slightly more than a quarter of the population; ...
  • Feb 29, 2016 ... Most animals show no bias for handedness, meaning that half of the population are righties and half are lefties. Humans and our closest ...
  • Perhaps it's due to the fact that about half of the population are considered to ... To your question, Ethos3, “about half of the population are considered to be”…
  • Over half of the population are children. Since the demise of the Fur Trade, La Loche has struggled with high unemployment (close to 50% today). La Loche ...

Alternatives:

  • Half of the people are
  • Half of the residents are
  • Half of the citizens are
  • Half of the members are
  • Half of the students are

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