twice

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "twice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to when something happens two times. For example, "My team won the game twice last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once bitten, twice shy".

The New York Times

But when a crook waved a pistol in Leonardo Bonucci's face last October, the Juventus defender punched his assailant twice before chasing him up the street.

The Guardian - Sport

The sources said the Ukip majority, which fell short of 15% in one poll, meant that Tory MPs were likely to think twice about defecting.

The Guardian

The game was twice suspended, briefly in the first half after a large inflatable banana was thrown on to the pitch and for around 15 minutes after the interval because of objects hurled from the stands.

The Guardian - Sport

Problem: Forests in Africa are being cut down at a rate of 4m hectares a year, more than twice the worldwide average rate.

The Guardian

It grew by 0.9% and is set to grow at almost twice the speed of the euro area this year.

The Guardian - Business

The downside came in the form of the near-collapse at the start of the second half when Sweden scored twice in quick succession and it was alarming to see the ease with which they got through from two set pieces.

The Guardian - Sport

He was arrested twice but never charged and contended both arrests were "actuated by malice".

The Guardian

So, as the final protracted fade-out into total silence and darkness began, the closing lines rang out: "Say a command", repeated three times; then "Command not recognised", twice.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mayan (indigenous) children like Gricelda and Lilliana are twice as likely to be malnourished as 'non-indigenous' children.

The Guardian

The Sunday Times, for instance, used the myth as a question and answer in three quizzes, twice in 1998 and then again in 2000.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "twice" to clearly indicate that something occurs exactly two times. Avoid using it when you mean 'a few times' or 'repeatedly'.

Common error

Avoid using "twice" when you intend to convey 'several times' or 'frequently'. "Twice" specifically means two times. If you mean 'several times', use words like "often", "repeatedly", or "frequently" instead.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "twice" modifies verbs or clauses, indicating the frequency of an action or event. It specifies that something occurs on two separate occasions. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where "twice" is used to quantify repetition, such as "He was arrested "twice" but never charged".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "twice" is an adverb denoting that an action or event occurs exactly two times. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, predominantly in news and media. When writing, remember that "twice" should only be used to express a precise count of two occurrences, not as a vague quantifier for 'several' or 'many'. Alternative phrases like "two times" or "on two occasions" can be used for variety, but maintain the same meaning. Therefore, understanding and applying these guidelines will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two times

A more literal and straightforward way to express the same quantity.

a second time

Highlights the re-occurrence of something.

on two occasions

Formal alternative, emphasizing specific instances.

double the amount

Emphasizes multiplying a quantity by two.

in duplicate

Focuses on making a copy or replica, highlighting duplication.

two-fold

Emphasizes two parts or aspects to something.

doubly

Implies an increased intensity or degree rather than mere repetition.

repeatedly

Suggests multiple occurrences without specifying the exact number.

on a couple of occasions

Informal and less precise, implying a small number of times.

in succession

Emphasizes that events happen one after the other without interruption.

FAQs

How do I use "twice" in a sentence?

"Twice" is an adverb that indicates something happens two times. For example, "I visited Paris "twice" last year".

What can I say instead of "twice"?

You can use alternatives like "two times", "on two occasions", or "doubly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "twice as much"?

Yes, "twice as much" is correct. It means two times the quantity or amount. For example, "This car costs "twice" as much as that one".

What's the difference between "twice" and "double"?

"Twice" is an adverb that indicates the number of times an action occurs, specifically two times. "Double" can be an adjective, verb, or adverb, and it usually means to multiply by two or to make something two times larger. For example, "I saw the movie "twice"," versus "I need to "double" the recipe".