double in size

USAGE SUMMARY

"double in size" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something growing or becoming larger by twice its original amount. For example, "The crowd at the festival seemed to double in size every hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His eyes seem to double in size.

The New York Times

It will almost double in size.

The Guardian - Books

Yes, your living room will double in size.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Sometime between 2035 or 2040, Florida will double in size".

The New York Times

It will double in size and become light and fluffy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You want the dough to double in size.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And, he warned, "It could double in size".

The New York Times

Within a day, its internal organs can double in size.

The New York Times - Health

"Officials tell us the fire may double in size in the forested areas today.

The Guardian

Today, Evo Electric employs 14 people and within two years expects to double in size again.

The Guardian

The Populations Reference Bureau predicts Lagos will double in size in the next 15 years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "double in size" when precision is important. For less precise growth, consider alternatives like "increase significantly".

Common error

Be careful not to use "double in size" when you mean to say something has increased by an unspecified amount or is simply larger. Doubling implies a precise multiplication by two, not just any increase in size.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "double in size" typically functions as a verb phrase or part of a predicate, describing the action of something increasing to twice its original dimensions or amount. Ludwig shows it's commonly used to describe growth or expansion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "double in size" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression indicating a precise increase to twice the original amount. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its frequency across varied contexts, notably News & Media and Formal & Business, underscores its versatility. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to use it accurately, differentiating it from similar but distinct concepts like 'increase by double'. Understanding its proper application ensures clarity and precision in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become twice as large

Simple and direct alternative, suitable for general use.

increase twofold

Replaces "double" with "twofold", emphasizing the numerical aspect of the increase.

expand to twice the size

Replaces "double" with a more descriptive phrase focusing on the expansion.

grow by 100 percent

Expresses the doubling as a percentage increase, suitable for statistical or analytical contexts.

amplify in size

Emphasizes the increasing effect on the object's size.

magnify by a factor of two

Uses more technical language, appropriate for scientific or mathematical contexts.

scale up by 2x

Uses shorthand notation, often found in business or technical settings.

duplicate in area

Focuses on the area, rather than linear dimensions.

increase exponentially

Implies very rapid growth, where the rate of increase is itself increasing.

appreciably enlarge

Suggests a noticeable, but not necessarily exact, doubling.

FAQs

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

You can use "double in size" to describe the growth of something, such as "The company expects to "double in size" within the next year" or "After adding water, the dough will "double in size"".

What's a good alternative to "double in size"?

Alternatives include "increase twofold", "expand to twice the size", or "become twice as large", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "doubled in size"?

Yes, "doubled in size" is the past tense form and is grammatically correct. For example, "The city's population "doubled in size" over the last decade".

What is the difference between "double in size" and "increase by double"?

"Double in size" means to become twice as large as the original size. "Increase by double", however, means to increase by an amount equal to the original size, effectively tripling the original size. They are not interchangeable.