double the cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "double the cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an increase in price or expenses, indicating that the amount will be multiplied by two. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will have to double the cost of the project to cover additional expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the cost would soar to more than double the cost of 10 parts per billion.

The New York Times

Paying to wax and refinish wood floors can quickly double the cost of having them.

The New York Times

"It would probably cost double the cost of a diamond watch.

The New York Times

A conversation with a sommelier can easily double the cost of the buy-in.

The New York Times - Food

In many cases, these taxes double the cost of acquiring a mobile phone.

The Economist

High-end laptops cost $3,000 to nearly $5,000, easily double the cost of comparable desktop computers.

The New York Times - Tech

Adding flood insurance would roughly double the cost, which may explain why so many people forego it.

The New York Times

Whether this whoosh is worth paying more than double the cost per square metre of JW3 is questionable.

The Guardian - Arts

Even splitting the show between the two cities would double the cost, while our television licensing fee remains the same".

The New York Times

With many items now double the cost, in UK pounds, compared with three summers ago, British travellers face holiday hyperinflation.

Independent

The goal is somewhat arbitrary, since the ideal would be nets for all, but that would more than double the cost.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about budgets or financial impacts, use "double the cost" to clearly communicate a 100% increase, ensuring readers understand the magnitude of the change. This concise phrasing avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that reducing input by half will "double the cost". Costs don't always scale inversely; fixed costs can distort the relationship. Verify the actual financial impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "double the cost" functions as a quantifier indicating a specific multiplicative increase in expense. It serves to emphasize a significant financial change and is reported by Ludwig to be grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "double the cost" is a straightforward expression indicating that expenses have increased by 100%. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and highly prevalent across various contexts. Predominantly found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" publications, it serves to clearly communicate a significant financial increase. While alternatives such as "increase the cost twofold" exist, "double the cost" remains a widely accepted and readily understood phrase. When employing this term, ensure the financial impact is accurately represented, as costs do not always scale linearly. In summary, "double the cost" is a versatile and impactful expression for conveying a substantial rise in expenditures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doubling the cost

Uses the gerund form to emphasize the action of increasing the cost.

double the price

Substitutes "cost" with "price", highlighting what a buyer pays.

doubled the cost

Uses the past tense form to indicate a completed action of increasing the cost.

double the expense

Replaces "cost" with "expense", stressing the financial burden.

increase the cost twofold

Emphasizes the action of increasing the cost by a factor of two.

double the outlay

Replaces "cost" with "outlay", focusing on the expenditure of funds.

double the amount

Replaces "cost" with "amount", emphasizing the numerical value.

double the expenditure

Focuses on the financial spending involved.

twofold the cost

Uses a different multiplier.

double the economic burden

Adds the dimension of economic hardship.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "double the cost" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "increase the cost twofold", "multiply the cost by two", or "the cost is twice as much depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "double in cost" instead of "double the cost"?

While "double in cost" might be understood, "double the cost" is the more standard and direct way to express that something's price has increased by 100%.

What is implied when something "doubles the cost"?

It implies that the original cost has been increased by 100%, resulting in a final cost that is twice the initial amount. It suggests a significant financial impact or burden.

Which is more formal, "double the cost" or "increase the cost by 100%"?

"Increase the cost by 100%" might be perceived as slightly more formal, but "double the cost" is widely accepted and used in both formal and informal contexts.