What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
half
Example
I ate half of the pizza for lunch. [half: noun]
Example
She only worked half a day today. [half: adjective]
Example
The team won the game by a half point. [half: noun]
section
Example
I need to read the last section of the book. [section: noun]
Example
The construction workers are working on the south section of the building. [section: noun]
Example
The science section of the library has many interesting books. [section: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Half is more commonly used than section in everyday language. Half is a common word that is used in a variety of contexts, while section is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between half and section?
Both half and section can be used in formal and informal contexts, but section may be more commonly used in technical or academic writing due to its precision and specificity.