four times larger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "four times larger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used whenever you want to compare two objects or quantities and emphasize that one is larger than the other by a factor of four. For example: The new stadium was four times larger than the old one.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the new plant would be four times larger.

The New York Times

Japan's economy is almost four times larger than South Korea's.

The New York Times

Mexico's population is four times larger than Venezuela's.

The New York Times

The US in the last century got four times larger and unemployment didn't systematically change.

The Guardian

That would make the Reagan reduction nearly four times larger than what Mr. Bush is offering.

The New York Times

Brain size began an inexorable increase, rising to become four times larger than an ape's.

The Guardian

"This makes that account four times larger," Mr. Coverdell said in a recent floor debate.

The New York Times

It was then about four times larger than what has survived.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The latter group was more than four times larger than the Yaz group.

The New York Times

Seattle, on the other hand, has a metro area more than four times larger than Quebec's.

The New York Times

The report said the size of the cave-in was nearly four times larger than federal investigators initially thought.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "four times larger" to clearly indicate a size difference that is precisely a factor of four. Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the objects being compared are clearly defined.

Common error

Avoid using "four times larger" when the comparison is not about size. For instance, it's incorrect to say "the problem is four times larger than expected" if you mean it's four times more complex or severe. Choose a more appropriate descriptor in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "four times larger" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by specifying its size relative to another entity, indicating that it is precisely four times the size of the reference object. Ludwig's examples show it's used across various contexts to express significant size differences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "four times larger" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that one thing is quadruple the size of another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While alternatives like "quadruple the size" exist, "four times larger" offers a clear and direct comparison. To avoid errors, ensure that the comparison is indeed about size and not other attributes like complexity. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "four times larger" to convey precise size differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

four times greater in size

Uses "greater" instead of "larger", adding slight emphasis.

quadruple the size

Focuses on the action of increasing something's size rather than stating a comparative fact.

fourfold increase in size

Emphasizes the growth or expansion by a factor of four.

increased by a factor of four

Highlights the multiplicative factor of the increase.

four times the magnitude

Uses "magnitude" to refer to size or importance, slightly more formal.

four times the extent

Replaces "larger" with "extent", focusing on the scope or range.

four times the dimensions

Focuses specifically on the measurable dimensions of an object.

four times the area

Specifically refers to the surface area being compared.

four times the volume

Specifically refers to the three-dimensional space being compared.

four times more expansive

Uses "expansive" to describe something that covers a large area or scope, adding a descriptive element.

FAQs

How can I use "four times larger" in a sentence?

Use "four times larger" to show a size comparison where one item is quadruple the size of another. For example, "The new model is "four times larger" than the previous version."

What can I say instead of "four times larger"?

You can use alternatives like "quadruple the size", "fourfold increase in size", or "increased by a factor of four" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "four times bigger" instead of "four times larger"?

While "four times bigger" is commonly used, ""four times larger"" is generally considered more formal and precise, especially in technical or scientific contexts. The choice depends on the desired level of formality.

What is the difference between "twice as large" and "four times larger"?

"Twice as large" means something is double the size, while ""four times larger"" indicates something is quadruple the size. These phrases denote different magnitudes of size increase.