a fourfold increase in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fourfold increase in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a quantitative change or growth in a specific variable or metric, often in scientific, economic, or statistical contexts. Example: "The study revealed a fourfold increase in the population of the species over the last decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

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

One in five marriages now end in divorce, according to government data, a fourfold increase in the past 15 years.

The New York Times

"Canada has seen approximately a fourfold increase in Indian students in the past three years," he said.

The New York Times

At the same time, the government is pushing for a fourfold increase in the annual rental fees mobile networks pay for spectrum.

The Guardian - Tech

From the second to the fifth quintile, there was a fourfold increase in the numbers of newborn intensive care beds and newborn intensive care specialists, Dr. Fisher said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fourfold increase in", ensure the context clearly defines what is being measured and the baseline from which the increase is calculated. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming the "fourfold increase" means the final value is simply four times the initial value. It means the final value is five times the initial value (the original amount plus four times that amount).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fourfold increase in" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating that something has increased to four times its original amount. As Ludwig confirms, the expression is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fourfold increase in" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to describe something that has grown to be four times larger than its original amount. Ludwig AI indicates its common usage across diverse domains, particularly in science, news, and business. To maximize clarity, always specify what is increasing, and remember that "a fourfold increase" means the final value is five times the original amount. Consider "a quadrupling of" as a more concise alternative. Be mindful of the register, as this phrase is generally neutral to formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a quadrupling of

This alternative is a more concise and direct way to describe a fourfold increase, often used in statistical or scientific contexts.

a four times greater increase

This alternative emphasizes the magnitude of the increase relative to an original amount or baseline.

a rise by a factor of four

This alternative highlights the multiplicative factor by which something has increased.

a fourfold escalation in

This alternative suggests a rapid and often alarming increase, particularly suitable when describing negative trends.

a four times multiplication of

This alternative directly specifies the act of multiplying by four, suitable for mathematical or quantitative contexts.

an increase to four times its original size

This alternative clarifies the final size relative to the initial state.

a surge of four times the amount

This alternative implies a sudden and significant increase in quantity.

a substantial quadrupling in

This alternative combines the idea of a fourfold increase with an emphasis on the significant scale of the change.

growing four times larger

This alternative is a more descriptive and less formal way of expressing a fourfold increase, suitable for general audiences.

an expansion by a factor of four

This alternative is often used in business or economic contexts to describe growth or scaling.

FAQs

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

Use "a fourfold increase in" to describe something that has increased to be four times greater than its original amount. For example, "There was a fourfold increase in sales after the marketing campaign".

What's a more concise way to say "a fourfold increase in"?

Consider using "a quadrupling of", which is a more succinct alternative to "a fourfold increase in".

Is it correct to say "a fourfold increase" without specifying what is increasing?

While grammatically correct, it's best to specify what is increasing to provide context and clarity. For example, instead of just saying "a fourfold increase", say "a fourfold increase in revenue".

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

"A threefold increase" means something has increased to be three times its original amount, while "a fourfold increase in" means it has increased to be four times greater. Always choose the wording that accurately reflects the magnitude of the change.