about double the size

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about double the size" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when making a comparison to indicate that one object or entity is approximately twice the size of another. Example: "The new building is about double the size of the old one, providing much more space for our operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The airport property covers 1,310 acres, about double the size of La Guardia, which has 680 acres.

The New York Times

Set a third of the pastry aside and roll out the rest to about double the size of the dish, then carefully lift it into place, pressing it into the corners.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is about double the size of its closest rival, Brunswick.

The New York Times

It looked like a dog, a big dog, about double the size of a golden retriever".

The New York Times

Reliance, an oil, chemical and manufacturing company, is now about double the size of Dow Chemical.

The New York Times

In large letters, about double the size of a Torah scroll's letters, with vowels.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

So we'd be adding probably this year 12,000 more beds, which would be about doubling the size of our existing portfolio.

The New York Times

With General Fonseka and his defence chief and brother, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Mr Rajapaksa set about doubling the size of the army, to around 200,000 troops, and resumed the war.

The Economist

We're about 310,000 square feet right now, and our expansion will about double our size.

The New York Times

Cover bowl with a towel (I also covered in saran wrap) and leave in a warm place until dough rises to about double in size (about 1 hour).

Huffington Post

It should about double in size, or at least plump up significantly if you're using a lot of wheat flour.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about double the size", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being doubled. For example, specify "about double the size of a standard room" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "about double the size" without a clear reference point. Saying something is "about double the size" without specifying what it is double of can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about double the size" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating relative magnitude. As Ludwig AI shows, it's used to describe something being approximately twice as large as another.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

23%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about double the size" is a common and correct way to describe something as being approximately twice as large as another. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While grammatically sound and generally understood, it's crucial to provide a clear reference point for comparison to avoid vagueness. More formal alternatives include "approximately twice the size", but the original phrase remains suitable for most neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately twice the size

Replaces "about" with "approximately", emphasizing an estimated quantity.

roughly double the size

Substitutes "about" with "roughly", suggesting an approximate estimation.

nearly double the size

Uses "nearly" instead of "about", implying a close approximation to twice the size.

almost twice as big

Changes the structure slightly to use "almost" and "as big", maintaining the meaning.

around twice the size

Replaces "about" with "around", indicating an estimated value.

double in magnitude

Replaces "size" with "magnitude", making it more suitable for abstract concepts.

twice the dimensions

Substitutes "size" with "dimensions", focusing on physical measurements.

increased by 100 percent

Expresses the doubling as a percentage increase.

twice as voluminous

Replaces "size" with "voluminous", emphasizing the quantity of space occupied.

expanded twofold

Uses a more formal term, "twofold", to indicate doubling.

FAQs

How can I use "about double the size" in a sentence?

You can use "about double the size" to compare the dimensions of two objects. For instance, "The new office is "about double the size" of the old one."

What is a more formal way to say "about double the size"?

A more formal alternative to "about double the size" is "approximately twice the size". This phrase provides a similar meaning but with a more professional tone.

What can I say instead of "about double the size" when estimating?

When estimating, you could use phrases like "roughly twice the size" or "nearly double the size" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "about double the size" in scientific writing?

While "about double the size" is understandable, scientific writing often requires more precise measurements. Consider providing specific dimensions or using terms like "approximately twice the volume" with quantifiable data.