fold

USAGE SUMMARY

'fold' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a transitive verb to mean "to bend something so that one part of it covers another part", or as a noun to mean "a piece of paper, cloth, etc. that has been bent so part of it covers another part". Here is an example sentence: "He folded the paper in half and wrote his name on the front".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Some would spend hours smoothing a napkin, touching its edges or perhaps folding and refolding it – occasionally a resident might fold one to create a purse, or a vase for a flower.

The Guardian

He was not readmitted to the fold of the family until he had issued a public apology.

The Guardian - Sport

It also signified that Zhang, who hailed from a family with a Chinese nationalist past and was once seen as a subversive film-maker, had been welcomed into the fold of official Communist party approval.

The Guardian - Film

"We are fascinated by historical and contemporary methods of wallpaper making, and by the possibilities for paper to hold a mark, fold or puncture".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ryan Bertrand believes he should still be a Chelsea player but has pointed to the clear progress made with regular involvement at Southampton over the past season as key to his return to the England fold.

The Guardian - Sport

He was brought into the News Corp fold after getting to know Murdoch while he was US managing editor of the Financial Times.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The Green vote increased four-fold nationally, while her own majority swelled from narrow to secure, yet in every interview following her re-election as MP, Caroline Lucas faced the same question: where was the surge?

The Guardian

From almost nothing, Mr Nadir created a fruit-and-textiles trading company that rewarded its investors a hundred-fold and, by 1990, made him Britain's 36th richest man.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Green party won its highest-ever share of the vote in Thursday's UK election but failed to add to its one seat in parliament, where Caroline Lucas increased her majority in Brighton Pavilion six-fold.

The Guardian

It has quadrupled to more than 9,000 in Glasgow, where yes won by 53.5% to 46.5%, and in the main towns of North Lanarkshire, where yes won by 51% to 49%, SNP membership has increased six-fold to 1,550 in Cumbernauld and by more than five times to nearly 1,000 in Coatbridge and to nearly 900 in Motherwell.

The Guardian

Internationally, in the wake of the Yom Kippur war, energy prices went up four-fold, and in 1973-74 there was renewed conflict with the NUM, the slide into the three-day week and the February 1974 election, called around the slogan, "Who governs?" The answer turned out to be Wilson, after a near dead-heat between the Labour and the Conservatives.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fold" in cooking, remember it implies a gentle mixing motion to avoid deflating the ingredients. For example, "Gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture."

Common error

Be careful not to confuse the verb "to fold", meaning to cease operations, with similar-sounding financial terms. Ensure clarity when discussing business closures to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fold" can be as a transitive verb, indicating the action of bending something over itself, or as a noun, referring to the resulting crease or a group of people. Ludwig provides examples of both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Lifestyle

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Fold" is a versatile word, functioning both as a verb and a noun, with meanings ranging from physical bending to metaphorical groupings. Ludwig provides ample examples of its usage across various contexts, including news, lifestyle, and sports. Its grammatical correctness is confirmed, and it is shown to be a very common term. Remembering its dual nature and context-specific nuances ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bend

Replaces "fold" with a simpler term for creating a crease or angle.

crease

Focuses specifically on the line created by bending something.

double over

Emphasizes the action of folding something completely onto itself.

give way

Implies collapsing or yielding, similar to "fold" in certain contexts.

incorporate

Used when "fold" means to mix ingredients gently.

collapse

Suggests a sudden folding or breaking down of structure.

withdraw

Replaces "fold" in the context of poker or quitting an activity.

enclose

Captures the meaning of wrapping something within "folded" arms.

give in

Alternative when "fold" refers to conceding a point or argument.

shut down

Used when referring to a company ceasing operations.

FAQs

How can I use "fold" in a sentence?

You can use "fold" as a verb, meaning to bend something over on itself (e.g., "She folded the letter"), or as a noun, referring to a crease or bend (e.g., "The paper had a sharp fold").

What does it mean when a company "folds"?

When a company "folds", it means it ceases to operate, similar to shutting down or going out of business. You might also say it "closes up" or "shuts down".

Which is correct: "fold in" or "fold into"?

Both "fold in" and "fold into" are correct, especially in cooking. "Fold in" emphasizes the action of gently incorporating ingredients, while "fold into" emphasizes the destination or mixture. They're largely interchangeable.

What's the difference between "bend" and "fold"?

"Bend" is a more general term for curving something, while "fold" specifically involves laying one part of something over another. You can "bend a wire" without necessarily creating a fold. But to fold a paper is to "bend it over" on itself.