is close to double

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is close to double" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing a quantity that is nearly twice another quantity. Example: "The population of the city is close to double that of the neighboring town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

This is close to double the number it enrolls for its campus-based version.

The Economist

This is close to double the £17m the last three year deal is thought to have been worth, according to sources.

The Guardian

At two and a half hours, "Burning" is close to double the length of Bradshaw's previous works, and it spans almost thirty years, from the mid-eighties to the present.

The New Yorker

The number, which is close to double that of initial estimates, was revealed a month after the announcement of a purge that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said was aimed at overturning decades of unchecked corruption in Saudi Arabia and placing the country on an investor-friendly footing.

The Guardian

Fifth year median pay is close to double what first year pilots earn.

Forbes

This estimate in 2010 is close to double the per capita estimate of 35 kilograms recorded in 1980.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The Yankees were close to double that, at $3.9 million.

The New York Times

"From a lender's standpoint, the profits are close to double over the life of the loan".

The New York Times

The 2011 rate of 153 kickoff returns per touchdown was close to double the rate of 88 per touchdown in 2010.

The New York Times

That's a lot of money, to be sure, and it's close to double what the first film cost: in 2002, Spider-Man the original cost $139m; two years later, the sequel cost $200m.

The Guardian - Film

At that same pace, that would mean close to $550 billion in payments processed per year — that's close to double the $282 billion that PayPal processes a year.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing quantities, ensure that "is close to double" is followed by a clear reference point (e.g., "is close to double the initial estimate"). This provides context and enhances the clarity of your comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "is close to double" when the actual value significantly deviates from being twice the reference point. This phrase implies a high degree of proximity to doubling; if the value is substantially different, consider using a more appropriate descriptor like "is considerably more than" or "is almost triple".

Linguistic Context

Descriptive. The phrase "is close to double" functions primarily as a descriptive element, used to quantify a relationship between two values, indicating that one is approximately twice the other. It provides a comparative assessment, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is close to double" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that one quantity is approximately twice the size, amount, or value of another. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. It is important to use this phrase when the actual value closely approximates being twice the reference point, ensuring clear and accurate communication. Alternatives like "is nearly twice" or "is almost double" can be used to provide slight nuances in meaning, as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is nearly twice

Uses "nearly twice" instead of "close to double", offering a slightly more concise expression of approximation.

is almost double

Replaces "close to" with "almost", slightly emphasizing the proximity to doubling.

is roughly twice

Substitutes "close to double" with "roughly twice", indicating an estimated doubling.

is in the vicinity of double

Employs "in the vicinity of" for a more formal and nuanced indication of approximation.

is about twice

Uses "about twice" for a simpler and more direct expression of approximate doubling.

is practically double

Employs "practically double" to emphasize the near-complete doubling of a value.

approximates doubling

Uses "approximates doubling" to focus on the act of nearly doubling rather than the state.

is just under double

Specifies that the value is slightly less than double, adding a nuance of precision.

is double or near to it

Inverts the structure to state "double" first and then add "or near to it" as a qualifier.

is marginally short of double

Offers a more formal and precise way of stating that the value is slightly less than double.

FAQs

How can I use "is close to double" in a sentence?

Use "is close to double" to indicate that a quantity is approximately twice the size, amount, or value of another. For example, "The new budget is close to double the previous year's allocation".

What are some alternatives to "is close to double"?

You can use alternatives like "is nearly twice", "is almost double", or "is roughly twice" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "is close to double"?

Yes, "is close to double" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that a value is approximately twice another. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

What is the difference between "is close to double" and "is more than double"?

"Is close to double" implies the value is less than or nearly double, while "is more than double" means the value exceeds twice the reference point. The former indicates approximation, while the latter denotes exceeding a specific threshold.