a double of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a double of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a duplicate or an exact copy of something. For example: "I made a double of the key to my house for my roommate to use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

But by then Swindon had secured a double of their own.

The Guardian - Sport

Also, East might well have reopened effectively with a double of four hearts.

The New York Times - Arts

Seth Smith brought home both runners and tied the score with a double of his own.

The New York Times - Sports

"Coming into the desert," he wrote, "I had taken my world with me, as a double of worries and longings".

The New York Times - Books

Now East should have bid three diamonds or, given the prevailing vulnerability, risked a double of two hearts.

The New York Times

After the Rowling, he completes a double of superstar English children's writers by adapting Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy for BBC1.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"This means a doubling of the number.

Independent

This stimulated a doubling of smaller firms.

The Guardian - Opinion

"A doubling of modal share in a decade!" Sagaris says.

The Guardian

One provision could head off a doubling of milk prices.

The New York Times

This represented a doubling of the 2007 figures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a double of" to clearly indicate a duplicate or counterpart, especially when emphasizing similarity or equivalence. For example, "He made a double of the key" clearly conveys that there are two identical keys.

Common error

Avoid using "a double of" when you mean "doubling", which refers to the act or process of becoming twice as much or numerous. For instance, use "a doubling of sales" instead of "a double of sales" to describe an increase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a double of" functions primarily as a noun phrase modifier. It often qualifies another noun, indicating that the modified noun is a duplicate, similar version, or counterpart of something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a double of" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to denote a duplicate, replica, or something closely resembling another object or person. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse fields, including news, science, and general reference. While versatile, it's essential to differentiate its meaning from related terms like "doubling". Related phrases such as "an identical copy of" and "a replica of" offer subtle variations in emphasis, making "a double of" a versatile and reliable phrase for expressing similarity and duplication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a duplicate of

Simple synonym, stresses that there are two of the same thing.

an identical copy of

Focuses on the exact replication, emphasizing the sameness of the copy.

a carbon copy of

Highlights that something has been reproduced exactly, often in a document context.

a replica of

Highlights that the subject is a reproduction, usually implying less authenticity.

a facsimile of

Formal alternative, usually referring to exact reproductions.

a counterpart of

Suggests a matching item in a different system or context.

a mirror image of

Emphasizes symmetry and reflection-like qualities.

an equivalent of

Implies that something has a similar function or value.

a look-alike of

Refers to something that closely resembles another thing, but isn't necessarily identical.

a spitting image of

Idiomatic, used to emphasize an uncanny resemblance in appearance.

FAQs

How can I use "a double of" in a sentence?

You can use "a double of" to indicate something that is a duplicate or very similar to something else. For example, "She's a double of her mother" or "He ordered a double of his usual drink".

What phrases are similar to "a double of"?

Alternatives include "an identical copy of", "a replica of", or "a duplicate of", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a doubling of" instead of "a double of"?

While related, they have different meanings. "A double of" refers to something that is a copy, whereas "a doubling of" refers to an increase or multiplication by two.

When should I use "a double of" versus "twice the amount of"?

"A double of" implies an exact copy or very close resemblance. "Twice the amount of" indicates a quantity that is two times larger. For example, "He requested a double of whiskey" versus "He needed twice the amount of flour".