twice the number of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "twice the number of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an exact multiple of something, such as "twice the number of people" or "twice the number of apples". For example, you could say "There were twice the number of books in the library than I expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

This is almost twice the number of a decade ago.

The New York Times

France had 64,310 - twice the number of the UK.

Independent

That's almost twice the number of neonatal deaths and twice the number of deaths from HIV/AIDS per year.

The New York Times

At least 50 million Americans (twice the number of cancer patients) suffer autoimmune diseases.

Stanford University

The Canadian fish have about twice the number of teeth as the Alaskan ocean fish.

University of California, Berkeley

Teaching twice the number of students was not a major problem.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That is roughly twice the number of off-season tests now conducted.

The New York Times - Sports

This is twice the number of people who died in the 2004 tsunami.

The New York Times

The fitting rooms have twice the number of stalls, 61, of the average Penney's.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

There is more than twice the number of males than females on-screen, the report said.

Huffington Post

Today Yoido boasts 68,000 female deacons twice the number of male ones.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "twice the number of", ensure that you are referring to a quantity that can be precisely counted. For continuous measures, consider using alternatives like "twice the amount of".

Common error

Avoid using "twice the number of" with uncountable nouns. For example, instead of saying "twice the number of water", say "twice the amount of water".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "twice the number of" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating a multiplicative relationship where one quantity is double another. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

26%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "twice the number of" is a frequently used phrase that functions as a quantifier, indicating a quantity that is double another. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for written English. Predominantly found in news, scientific and academic contexts, it serves to emphasize the magnitude and is generally considered neutral in tone. To maintain accuracy, it should be used with countable nouns, and contextually appropriate alternatives should be considered for uncountable scenarios. Common authoritative sources that frequently employ the phrase include The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

double the quantity of

Replaces "number" with "quantity", emphasizing the amount rather than the count.

two times the amount of

Substitutes "twice" with "two times", providing a more explicit multiplication.

twice as many as

Alters the structure to compare quantities directly using "as many as".

a duplication of the count of

Uses "duplication" to indicate the act of doubling, adding a more formal tone.

double the measure of

Replaces "number" with "measure", suitable when referring to continuous quantities.

twofold the sum of

Emphasizes a multiplication by two in a slightly more formal or mathematical context.

the double of the amount of

Uses "the double" as a noun phrase to express the doubling.

an amplification by a factor of two of

Introduces a more scientific or technical tone, highlighting the multiplicative factor.

in duplicate to the volume of

More formal, employing "duplicate" to imply a mirroring or replication in quantity or volume.

the square of the size of

Suggests a quantity raised to the power of two in less accurate way but meaning almost same.

FAQs

How do I use "twice the number of" in a sentence?

Use "twice the number of" to indicate that a quantity is multiplied by two. For example, "There were twice the number of students present today compared to yesterday".

What's the difference between "twice the number of" and "twice as many as"?

"Twice the number of" is generally followed by a noun, while "twice as many as" often implies a comparison. For instance, "twice the number of cars" vs. "twice as many cars as last year".

What can I say instead of "twice the number of"?

You can use alternatives like "double the quantity of" or "two times the amount of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "twice the number of" even if the number is an estimate?

Yes, "twice the number of" can be used even with estimates, but ensure your audience understands that the figure is approximate. For example, "There were twice the number of attendees estimated at the conference".