▲句中的 halved 是动词 halve 的过去式，意思是“减半”。又如：

Overall operating profits halved to $24 million. 总的营业利润减少了一半，降至2,400 万元。

Their profits have halved in the last six months. 在过去的六个月里，他们的利润减少了一半。

The relative frequency of fraternal twins has halved since 1950. 自 1950 年以来，双卵性双胞胎的相对发生率下降了一半。

The shares have more than halved in value since the summer high of 572p. 股价从夏天572 便士的高价已经下跌了一半以上。

▲动词 halve 也可以是及物的。如：

After the pessimistic sales forecasts, production was halved. 在做了悲观销售预测之后，产量降低了一半。

Cash cuts have halved the number of places available on training courses. 经费削减使培训名额减少了一半。

In the past eight years, the elephant population in Africa has been halved. 在过去的八年中，非洲大象的数量减少了一半。

▲是表示增加或上升了一半以上，不能用 halve。要改其他说法。如：

The number of families seeking shelter rose by more than one third. 寻求避难的家庭数目上升了三分之一以上。

Over the last decade, auto theft has increased by more than 50 percent. 过去的10年来汽车盗窃案上升了50％以上。

It is said that foreign investment inThailandrose by more than 80% last year.  据说，去年在泰国的外国投资上升了80%以上。