double the number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "double the number of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to increasing a quantity by a factor of two. Example: "To improve our sales, we need to double the number of customers we attract each month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

That could roughly double the number of electric vehicles required.

The New York Times

But the plan would also double the number of Class A shares.

The New York Times

The allocation will double the number of officers with high-powered weapons.

The New York Times

Officials say they plan to double the number of emergency demolitions to about 60 a week.

The New York Times

With his two surges, Obama will more than double the number of American troops in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

The split will double the number of shares to 34 million.

The New York Times

The split will double the number of outstanding shares to 3.2 billion, the company said.

The New York Times

The deal will nearly double the number of lawyers Latham has in Europe.

The New York Times

But it is more than double the number of new laws enacted in 2014.

The Guardian

The airport itself has committed to double the number of apprenticeships to 10,000".

The Guardian

Passengers are now making more than double the number of rail journeys compared with 1994-95.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "double the number of", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being doubled. For example, "Double the number of sales calls to increase revenue."

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what quantity you intend to double. Instead of saying "We need to double", specify "We need to double the number of employees" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "double the number of" functions as a quantifier used to express a multiplication by two. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. The phrase typically modifies a noun, indicating that the quantity of that noun should be increased by a factor of two. Examples from Ludwig show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "double the number of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that a quantity is to be or has been multiplied by two. Ludwig AI validates its usability across diverse contexts. The phrase is versatile, fitting well in news, scientific discussions, and business communications. While several alternatives exist, such as "increase the quantity twofold" or "multiply the amount by two", the choice often depends on the desired nuance and level of formality. When employing this phrase, clarity is crucial; always specify what is being doubled to avoid ambiguity. "Double the number of" effectively conveys growth or expansion, making it a valuable tool in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the quantity twofold

Uses "twofold" to directly indicate the multiplication factor, offering a more concise alternative.

multiply the amount by two

Specifies the mathematical operation and the factor of increase, providing a clear and explicit alternative.

duplicate the count of

Employs "duplicate" to signify doubling, suitable when emphasizing replication.

increase the number by 100%

Expresses the increase as a percentage, offering a different perspective on the same quantitative change.

twofold the quantity

Similar to "increase the quantity twofold", but with a slightly different word order.

amplify the quantity by a factor of 2

Uses "amplify" to denote increasing, suitable when emphasizing the scale of the change.

scale up the figure by 100 percent

Replaces "double" with "scale up" and quantifies with percentage.

make twice as many

Uses a more informal expression focusing on the outcome of doubling.

expand the number of by 100%

Expresses the increase as a percentage, offering a different perspective on the same quantitative change.

make it two times the amount

Expresses the doubling in terms of multiplication.

FAQs

How can I use "double the number of" in a sentence?

You can use "double the number of" to describe an increase in a specific quantity by a factor of two. For example, "We aim to double the number of subscribers by the end of the quarter."

What are some alternatives to "double the number of"?

You can use alternatives like "increase the quantity twofold", "multiply the amount by two", or "duplicate the count of".

Is it better to say "double the number of" or "increase by 100%"?

Both "double the number of" and "increase by 100%" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice depends on the context and desired level of precision. "Double the number of" is often simpler and more direct, while "increase by 100%" may be preferred in more formal or technical contexts.

What's the difference between "double the number of" and "twice the number of"?

While both phrases imply multiplication by two, "double the number of" emphasizes the action of increasing to twice the original amount. "Twice the number of" focuses on the final quantity being two times the original. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference or the specific nuance you want to convey.