make twice as big

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make twice as big" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to increasing the size or dimensions of something to double its original size. Example: "To accommodate more guests, we need to make the dining area twice as big."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Had I made twice as big a bet that first time around, after all, I would have made twice as much money.

Forbes

– Claire Cain Miller Ashes to Ashes, Peer to Peer Fortune |  An oral history of Napster – Ashwin Seshagiri Modeled Behavior The Washington Post |  How Netflix could use big data to make twice as much money off you.

The New York Times

In tourism, small is successful, says Anthony Clayton, of the University of the West Indies in Jamaica: the Caribbean's small destinations make twice as much per tourist as the seven big ones".The fundamental competitive advantage of a small economy is the ability to be hospitable to the world, [and]...nimble," concludes Mr Wint.

The Economist

(This will make twice as much as you need).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Make twice as many as you think you need to.

Huffington Post

I ultimately made what started off as the biggest bet of all times, lived through terror of watching it get twice as bad, but ended up with the most successful movie ever made".

Huffington Post

But the price spike that followed was so big that Marathon made twice as much from its refining operations in the third quarter of 2005 as it had a year earlier.

The New Yorker

Holmgren said: "Today's announcement is a very big deal for us as ArcelorMittal is the biggest steel producer in the world: it makes twice as much as its nearest competitor.

The Guardian

Specialists often made twice as much.

The New York Times - Health

Now that Berbera is flourishing, Mohamed says the port is looking for an investor to make it twice as big and deeper.

The Guardian

This makes it twice as big as the finance sector and five times the size of the much-ballyhooed tech sector.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make twice as big" when you want to clearly communicate the idea of doubling the size of something, especially when comparing it to its original dimensions.

Common error

Avoid using "make twice as big" for abstract concepts where 'size' isn't directly applicable. Instead of saying 'make my happiness twice as big', consider 'double my happiness' or 'increase my happiness significantly'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make twice as big" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun by describing the intended resultant size. It indicates the act of enlarging something to double its original dimensions, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make twice as big" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that effectively conveys the idea of doubling the size of something. Ludwig confirms its usability across diverse contexts, particularly in news, wiki content, and academic discussions. While generally neutral in tone, it's suitable for various writing styles. For alternative phrasing, consider using options like "double in size" or "increase to twice the size" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Double in size

This alternative is a shorter, more direct way of saying to increase to twice the current size.

Make it twice as large

Uses "large" instead of "big", which is a synonym.

Increase to twice the size

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the action of increasing.

Make twice the size

A slightly more concise version, omitting "as big".

Expand to double its size

This alternative focuses on the act of expanding and reaching a doubled size.

Grow to double the size

This alternative emphasizes growth and reaching a doubled size.

Enlarge to twice the current size

This alternative uses "enlarge", suggesting a physical expansion.

Magnify twofold

More formal and emphasizes the multiplication aspect of doubling.

Scale up by 100 percent

This alternative uses a percentage increase to indicate doubling.

Amplify to double the scale

Emphasizes increasing the scope or scale.

FAQs

How can I use "make twice as big" in a sentence?

You can use "make twice as big" when referring to increasing the size or dimensions of something to double its original size. For example: "To accommodate more guests, we need to make the dining area twice as big."

What are some alternatives to "make twice as big"?

You can use alternatives like "double in size", "increase to twice the size", or "make twice the size" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "make twice as big"?

Yes, "make twice as big" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe doubling the size of something.

When should I use "double in size" instead of "make twice as big"?

"Double in size" is a more concise and direct way to express the same idea, and it's often suitable when the context is clear and you want to be brief.