double the size

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "double the size" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express that something is increasing by two times its original size. For example: "The population of the town doubled the size in the past decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To double the size would make it out of scale".

The Guardian

"Mat was the first one to double the size.

The New York Times - Sports

"We decided to double the size of the town.

The Economist

They might also double the size of their projected land-based mobile missiles.

The New York Times

For national security conservatives, he vowed to double the size of the prison at Guantánamo Bay.

The New York Times

But the club's plans to double the size of its clubhouse prompted an organized protest.

The New York Times

Mitt begs to differ and says he'd like to double the size of the Guantánamo prison.

The New York Times

We are pursuing a public-private partnership to double the size of our container terminal.

The New York Times

By day 11, it is puffed up to double the size of its cousin.

The Guardian

"I'm hoping to double the size of the museum over the next five years," he said.

The New York Times

"Just in acquisition-related growth alone we can double the size of the company," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "double the size", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being doubled. For example, specify "double the size of the workforce" rather than simply "double the size".

Common error

Avoid using "double the size" without a clear reference point. Saying "We need to double the size" is unclear. Instead, specify what needs to be doubled, such as "We need to "double the size of the investment"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "double the size" functions primarily as a verbal phrase or an adjectival phrase. It often acts as a modifier, describing the intended outcome of an action or the resulting state of an object. Ludwig's examples clearly show its role in conveying expansion or growth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "double the size" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe a scenario where something has increased to twice its original dimensions or amount. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, this phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various communication styles. It is advisable to ensure clarity by specifying what exactly is being doubled to prevent ambiguity. While there are many alternatives like "increase twofold" or "expand to twice the original", "double the size" remains a direct and effective way to convey this specific kind of increase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase twofold

Emphasizes the numerical aspect of multiplying by two.

multiply by a factor of two

Highlights the mathematical operation involved.

expand to twice the original

Focuses on the process of becoming larger relative to a starting point.

magnify by two

Highlights the amplification or enlargement aspect.

make twice as big

A more informal way of expressing the increase in size.

grow to twice its size

Implies a natural or gradual increase in dimensions.

double in magnitude

Emphasizes the extent or importance of the increase.

enlarge to double proportions

Focuses on the resulting proportions after the increase.

increase to 200 percent

Expresses the change as a percentage increase.

duplicate in measurement

Emphasizes reaching the exact original measurement once again.

FAQs

What does it mean to "double the size" of something?

To "double the size" means to increase something to twice its original dimensions or amount. It implies a multiplication by two, resulting in a 100% increase.

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

You can use "double the size" to describe the expansion or growth of something. For example, "The company plans to "double the size of its factory" next year".

What are some alternatives to saying "double the size"?

Alternatives include "increase twofold", "expand to twice the original", or "make twice as big". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "double the size" or "twice the size"?

Both "double the size" and "twice the size" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. However, "double the size" emphasizes the action of increasing, while "twice the size" focuses on the resulting dimension. Use the one that best fits the intended nuance.