double booking

USAGE SUMMARY

"double booking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this term when two people or groups have arranged to do the same activity or to use the same space at the same time. For example: "We can't book the theater on Saturday night because it has already been double booked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"Then we were told there'd been a double booking," Young sighs, "and we'd have to go home".

The Guardian - Music

On this occasion LW didn't notify us of her error until she arrived in the resort, which was unfortunately too late to rectify her double booking".

The Guardian - Money

Although that double booking suggests a cool head, Stritch suffered seriously from stage fright, believing that performers must feel fear: "If I see someone saying the rosary in the wings, I know they've got talent".

The Guardian

"I therefore have a double booking for the same travellers on the same flight and neither Opodo nor the airline is willing to refund me the £2,140 I overpaid," Hussein says.

The Guardian - Money

The Atlético Madrid striker is suspended from Wednesday's second leg following his dismissal in the 35th minute at the Camp Nou for a double booking, shortly after giving his side the lead.

The Guardian - Sport

Espanyol's hard work at getting back into the game risked being undone when the striker Felipe Caicedo was sent off for a double booking but Léo Baptistão grabbed a point with a thumping low finish from outside the box in stoppage time.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Many fab-less chip companies are making double bookings at foundries in order to ensure supplies of their chips.

Forbes

Shank also said that HotelTonight is on track to double bookings this year compared to 2014, that it will become profitable next year and that it will continue hiring.

TechCrunch

Quarter to quarter it says it will "roughly double bookings", but isn't sharing more specific growth rates at this point.

TechCrunch

They were rarely required (usually to resolve room double bookings).

BMC Medical Education

Note that the percentage of double bookings mainly depends on the number of urgent hours but indirectly also on the number of elective hours due to the soft blocks.

Health Care Management Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "double booking" in professional contexts, ensure clarity to avoid confusion. For example, specify whether it refers to accidental overlaps or a deliberate strategy to compensate for no-shows.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "double booking" always indicates an error. In some sectors, like healthcare, it's a deliberate strategy to maximize resource utilization, not necessarily a mistake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "double booking" functions primarily as a noun, often describing a situation where a resource, such as a room or a professional's time, has been scheduled for two different activities simultaneously. Ludwig confirms that it's a valid and commonly used term.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "double booking" is a common and acceptable term used to describe scheduling conflicts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, often related to scheduling optimization and resource management. While generally indicating an error, it can also be a deliberate strategy in certain fields. To avoid confusion, always ensure clarity in professional contexts, and be aware of the intent behind its usage. Alternative phrases, such as "overlapping schedules" or "conflicting commitments", can be used depending on the specific context. The authoritative sources confirm its widespread use and acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

double scheduling

Alternative way to describe the act of "double booking".

duplicate booking

Another term for booking something twice, causing an overlap.

appointment overlap

Specifically refers to the overlapping of scheduled appointments.

clashing appointments

Synonymous with a schedule clash, but specifically for appointments.

overbooked appointment

Highlights the situation of having more appointments than available slots.

schedule clash

A simple way to describe the conflict between two scheduled events.

simultaneous bookings

Highlights that bookings are happening at the exact same time

overlapping schedules

Refers to schedules that have time conflicts, similar to two bookings at the same time.

time conflict

A general term for when two events are scheduled at the same time.

conflicting commitments

Emphasizes the conflict arising from having two commitments at the same time.

FAQs

What does "double booking" mean?

"Double booking" refers to scheduling two different events, appointments, or reservations for the same time slot, which can lead to conflicts or logistical issues.

How can I avoid "double booking"?

Use a reliable scheduling system, confirm appointments regularly, and clearly communicate availability to all parties involved. Consider using alternatives to prevent schedule conflicts, such as scheduling software.

What are the consequences of "double booking"?

Consequences can range from minor inconveniences to significant disruptions, including customer dissatisfaction, logistical nightmares, and damage to reputation. Effective schedule management is critical to avoid such problems.

What's another way to say "double booking"?

Alternatives include "overlapping schedules", "conflicting commitments", or "duplicate booking", depending on the specific context.