a fourfold increase

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fourfold increase" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where something has increased by four times its original amount. Example: "The company's profits experienced a fourfold increase over the last quarter, indicating significant growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Chrysler reported first-quarter net income of $473 million on Thursday, a fourfold increase from a year ago.

The New York Times

According to a 2006 survey by Condé Nast Bridal Media, 16percentt of couples choose a destination wedding — a fourfold increase from a decade ago.

The New York Times

That's almost a fourfold increase in four years.

The Guardian

The move triggered a fourfold increase in ambulance call-outs.

The Guardian

That amounts to a fourfold increase in a decade.

The Economist

There has also been a fourfold increase in coeliac diagnosis between 1990 and 2011.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My corner, too, just lost a long-established dry cleaner, to a fourfold increase in rent.

The New York Times

The United States has had a fourfold increase in wireless calling volumes per person since 1995.

The New York Times - Tech

In that sector, green construction has had the most growth, with a fourfold increase in jobs since 2005.

The New York Times - Tech

Citizens Advice reports a fourfold increase over two years in the number of people with payday-loan-related problems.

The Guardian - Business

The agency reported 652 such events from September 2006 to August 2007, a fourfold increase over the previous 12 months.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a fourfold increase", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being measured and the baseline from which the increase is calculated for better understanding.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a fourfold increase" automatically means an increase to 400% of the original value. While mathematically equivalent, ensure clarity to prevent misinterpretations; specify the original value if necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fourfold increase" functions as a noun phrase that quantifies the extent of growth or multiplication. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fourfold increase" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe something that has quadrupled. As supported by Ludwig, its usage spans across News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While alternatives like "quadruple increase" exist, it's crucial to maintain clarity regarding the baseline and the measured entity. Avoiding the assumption that it automatically means 400% is essential for precise communication. Ludwig's analysis confirms its widespread applicability and offers insights into avoiding common misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quadruple increase

Replaces "fourfold" with its direct synonym "quadruple", maintaining the exact meaning.

increase by a factor of four

Expresses the increase as a multiplication factor, rather than a descriptive adjective.

four times greater

Uses a comparative structure to indicate the magnitude of the increase.

increased fourfold

Changes the word order, using "fourfold" as an adverb to modify "increased".

a quadrupling

Uses a noun form to represent the act of increasing four times.

a four-time increase

Replaces "fold" with "time", emphasizing the multiplicative nature of the increase.

growth by 300 percent

Quantifies the increase as a percentage, showing the relative change from the original value.

a substantial surge

Uses a more general term to describe a significant increase, without specifying the exact magnitude.

a marked escalation

Emphasizes the sharp and noticeable nature of the increase.

a significant multiplication

Highlights the multiplicative aspect of the growth.

FAQs

How do I use "a fourfold increase" in a sentence?

You can use "a fourfold increase" to describe situations where something has quadrupled. For example, "The company experienced a fourfold increase in profits this year".

What are some alternatives to saying "a fourfold increase"?

Alternatives include "quadruple increase", "increase by a factor of four", or "four times greater".

Is it correct to say "an increase of fourfold"?

While understandable, "a fourfold increase" is more common and grammatically standard. "An increase of fourfold" is less frequently used and may sound awkward to some.

What's the difference between "a threefold increase" and "a fourfold increase"?

"A threefold increase" means something has tripled (increased by three times), while "a fourfold increase" means something has quadrupled (increased by four times). They denote different magnitudes of growth.