doubles as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doubles as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something serves two purposes or functions simultaneously. Example: "The old barn now doubles as a community center for local events."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Doubles as low as $85.

The New York Times - Travel

His hat doubles as a pencil caddy!

The New Yorker

The dealer doubles as a trading company.

The Economist

A bangle doubles as a flask.

The New York Times

The investigation doubles as a research tutorial.

The New Yorker

(Thankfully, the laundromat doubles as the pub).

The New York Times

Mr. Mesika doubles as pastry chef.

The New York Times - Food

It doubles as a candleholder.

The New York Times

Thunder doubles as kettle drums.

The New York Times

"She's playing doubles as well," he said.

The New York Times

"It also doubles as a psychiatrist's couch".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "doubles as" to concisely describe items or spaces that have multiple uses, enhancing clarity and efficiency in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "doubles as" when something merely resembles another thing without actually serving its function. Ensure the item genuinely fulfills both roles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doubles as" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something serves two purposes or has two roles. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "doubles as" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to describe something that has two functions or purposes. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for use in written English, and is particularly common in news and media. When considering alternative phrasing, "serves as" or "functions as" may be useful depending on the specific context. Be careful not to overuse the phrase when a dual purpose isn't genuinely present. "Doubles as" allows writers to concisely describe multifaceted items and spaces.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serves as

Focuses on the primary function while implying a secondary one.

functions as

Emphasizes the action or role that something performs.

acts as

Highlights the behavior or performance of something in a particular role.

performs the function of

A more formal way of saying something has a specific role.

also works as

Indicates an additional capability or purpose.

is also used as

Highlights the versatility of something.

can also be used for

Focuses on the potential for multiple uses.

fulfills the role of

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing a dual function.

has a dual purpose

Directly states the existence of two purposes.

provides a secondary function as

Emphasizes the secondary nature of one of the functions.

FAQs

How can I use "doubles as" in a sentence?

Use "doubles as" to indicate that something has two functions. For example, "The guest room "doubles as" an office".

What is a good alternative to "doubles as"?

Alternatives include "serves as", "functions as", or "also works as", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say 'doubles like' instead of "doubles as"?

While 'doubles like' might be understood informally, "doubles as" is the grammatically correct and more widely accepted phrase to indicate dual functionality.

What's the difference between "doubles as" and 'serves as'?

"Doubles as" implies two distinct functions, while "serves as" can refer to one primary role. If something has a main role and an additional one, "doubles as" is appropriate.