Is it 'a half-mile' or 'half a mile'?

Both are correct and largely interchangeable. 'A half-mile' is often used as a compound modifier before a noun (a half-mile run), while 'half a mile' is common in spoken descriptions (It's half a mile away).

Do I need a hyphen in 'half-mile'?

Yes, when it is used as a compound adjective before a noun (a half-mile walk). When used as a noun phrase after a verb, it is often written without a hyphen (It is half a mile long).

Is the 'half-mile' run the same as the 800 metres?

They are very close but not identical. A half-mile is 880 yards, which is approximately 804.67 metres. The standard middle-distance track event is 800 metres, which is about 0.497 miles, just short of a true half-mile.

Is 'half-mile' used in countries with the metric system?

It is understood but used less frequently. In sports, travel, or formal contexts, metric equivalents (800m, 0.8 km) are preferred. It may appear in idiomatic expressions or historical contexts.

half-mile

UK/ˌhɑːf ˈmaɪl/US/ˌhæf ˈmaɪl/

Neutral to formal, but common in everyday descriptions of distance, sports reporting, and travel.

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A unit of linear distance equal to 880 yards or 0.5 miles (approximately 804.67 metres).

Used to describe a moderate distance, often in the context of running, walking, or describing proximity. Can also function attributively (e.g., a half-mile track).

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily used as a noun (with or without a hyphen), but can function attributively as an adjective. The concept is literal; it rarely has figurative meaning. The hyphen is standard when used as a compound modifier before a noun (e.g., a half-mile walk).

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use imperial units for this measurement in informal contexts, though official contexts in the UK may use metric equivalents.

Connotations

In both varieties, it connotes a tangible, walkable/runnable distance. In American English, it's commonly used in the context of high school/college track events (the 'half-mile' run, though often referred to as the '800 metres' in modern tracks).

Frequency

Slightly more frequent in American English due to the continued common use of imperial units for everyday distances.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

run a half-milewalk a half-milehalf-mile awayhalf-mile walk

medium

about a half-mileless than a half-milehalf-mile radiushalf-mile stretch

weak

long half-mileentire half-milemeasured half-milefinal half-mile

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[BE] a half-mile [from PLACE][VERB of motion] a half-mile[Determiner] half-mile [Noun]

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

800 metres (approx.)

Neutral

half a mile0.5 miles880 yards

Weak

a short distancea good walk

Vocabulary

Antonyms

full mileminute's walkstone's throw

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rare, except in property descriptions (e.g., 'The site is located a half-mile from the motorway junction').

Academic

Used in geography, sports science, or historical texts describing distances.

Everyday

Very common for giving directions, describing walkable distances, or discussing exercise.

Technical

Used in athletics (track events), surveying, and logistics, though often converted to metric (800m).

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

The path half-miles its way through the woodland. (Rare/poetic, not standard)

American English

The trail half-miles through the valley. (Rare/poetic, not standard)

adverb

British English

The pub is situated half-mile from the station. (Incorrect; requires 'a half-mile' or 'half a mile').

American English

He lives half-mile down the road. (Incorrect; requires 'a half-mile' or 'half a mile').

adjective

British English

We went for a half-mile stroll along the promenade.
He set a new record in the half-mile event.

American English

There's a half-mile hike to the waterfall.
She won the state half-mile championship.

Examples

By CEFR Level

The shop is about a half-mile from my house.
I can run a half-mile.

We walked a half-mile through the park to get to the lake.
The village is just half a mile down this road.

The new cycling lane extends for a half-mile along the riverbank.
Despite being only a half-mile apart, the two neighbourhoods feel completely different.

The planning application was rejected due to the proposed development being within a half-mile radius of a protected wetland.
His strategy for the 800m race involved running the first half-mile at a deliberately conservative pace.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a standard running track: two laps is roughly a half-mile (actually 800m, which is 0.497 miles).

Conceptual Metaphor

DISTANCE IS MEASURABLE GROUND (literal).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid translating as 'полмили' in contexts where '800 метров' is more natural (e.g., sports).
The hyphen is important in writing: 'half-mile' (adjective) vs. 'half a mile' (noun phrase).

Common Mistakes

Writing 'half a mile' as a single unhyphenated word (*halfmile).
Using a plural verb with 'a half-mile' as a singular unit (e.g., *'A half-mile are...'). Correct: 'A half-mile is...'.
Confusing 'half-mile' (a specific distance) with 'a half mile' (which can be more approximate).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After the car broke down, we had to trek a gruelling through the snow to find help.

Multiple Choice

In which sentence is 'half-mile' used correctly as an adjective?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Both are correct and largely interchangeable. 'A half-mile' is often used as a compound modifier before a noun (a half-mile run), while 'half a mile' is common in spoken descriptions (It's half a mile away).
: Yes, when it is used as a compound adjective before a noun (a half-mile walk). When used as a noun phrase after a verb, it is often written without a hyphen (It is half a mile long).
: They are very close but not identical. A half-mile is 880 yards, which is approximately 804.67 metres. The standard middle-distance track event is 800 metres, which is about 0.497 miles, just short of a true half-mile.
: It is understood but used less frequently. In sports, travel, or formal contexts, metric equivalents (800m, 0.8 km) are preferred. It may appear in idiomatic expressions or historical contexts.