folding upon itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "folding upon itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is bending or collapsing in a way that it overlaps or layers over itself, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The fabric of the story was so intricate that it seemed to be folding upon itself, revealing new layers of meaning with each reading."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

One specific feature of the genetic material (RNA or DNA) which is encoded in synonymous (and non-synonymous) aspects of its nucleotide composition is its structure/conformation which is formed by the molecule folding upon itself as a result of hydrogen bonds (and other biochemical connections) acting between pairs of nucleotides.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The RNA transcript begins to fold upon itself while it is still being transcribed.

Theoretical Computer Science

It consisted of a crisp, lightly browned, greasy (but flavorful), paper-thin pancake folded upon itself like a dropped handkerchief.

The New York Times

This single-stranded polynucleotide chain can fold upon itself in numerous ways to form hydrogen-bonded segments, imperfect with single-stranded loops.

Methods

As differentiation and growth progress, this primitive tube begins to fold upon itself, and constrictions along its length produce four primary chambers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Prior to mitosis of the fertilized egg, the chromatids, after being unpackaged from the chromosomes, link up to form a giant circular loop which is then folded upon itself into a wired-frame structure that embodies the architectural embryological developmental scheme.

Medical Hypotheses

A dilated fallopian tube folds upon itself to form a sausage-like C- or S-shaped cystic mass [1, 2].

Insights into Imaging

Holding that most people intuitively misunderstand the profundity of exponential growth, Zuckerberg provided the example of a piece of paper folded upon itself 50 times.

TechCrunch

When a fallopian tube is extremely dilated by fluid, it may fold upon itself to produce the "cogwheel sign", which may be indistinguishable from an ovarian neoplasm [2].

Insights into Imaging

a Sagittal T2WI showing a "sausage -shaped sausage -shapedded upon itsolidas shown by the portion of Fallopian tube wall on the centre of the mass (arrowhead), and again the "beak" sign is depicted (dashed arrow); b Sagittal T2WI where the mass can still be seen (asterisk), together with an important sign in Pfoldedydrometra (red dashed arrow).

Insights into Imaging

"Often consciousness conceals itself in folds... when the skin tissue folds upon itself.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "folding upon itself" to describe complex physical structures or abstract concepts that involve self-overlapping or cyclical processes. It is appropriate in scientific, technical, and descriptive writing.

Common error

Don't use "folding upon itself" when simpler terms like "folded" or "collapsed" are sufficient. The phrase is more effective when conveying a complex or layered structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "folding upon itself" acts as a descriptive verb phrase, often modifying a noun to explain how it changes shape or form. As Ludwig AI states, it describes bending and overlapping.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

46%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "folding upon itself" is a grammatically sound and useful expression to describe something bending, collapsing, or layering over itself. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is acceptable and suitable in written English. It's frequency is uncommon but is found across different contexts like Science and News & Media. While alternatives such as "collapsing inward" or "overlapping itself" exist, "folding upon itself" provides a specific image of self-interaction. It is advisable to use this phrase when depicting complex structures rather than simple folds, and it fits well within both neutral and formal registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overlapping itself

Highlights the overlapping nature of the folded object.

bending back on itself

Emphasizes the action of bending to touch its own part.

turning in on itself

Focuses on the inward orientation resulting from the folding action.

collapsing inward

Focuses on the inward direction of the collapse or folding.

doubling over

Describes a bending action that results in two layers.

curling up

Implies a spiral or coiled shape resulting from the folding.

looping back

Suggests a circular or cyclical folding pattern.

compacting down

Focuses on the reduction in size due to folding.

compressing inward

Emphasizes the compression force during the folding process.

self-intersecting

Highlights the action of crossing its own path.

FAQs

What does "folding upon itself" mean?

The phrase "folding upon itself" describes a process where something bends or collapses in such a way that it overlaps or layers over itself.

How can I use "folding upon itself" in a sentence?

You can use "folding upon itself" to describe physical objects like "a paper folding upon itself" or abstract concepts like time "time folding upon itself".

What are some alternatives to "folding upon itself"?

Some alternatives include "collapsing inward", "bending back on itself", or "overlapping itself" depending on the context.

Is "folding upon itself" formal or informal?

"Folding upon itself" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more commonly found in descriptive or technical writing. In some situations, simpler alternatives like "folded" may be more appropriate.