twofold

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'twofold' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been doubled or multiplied by two. For example, "The project required twice as much money, so we had to take on extra funding to make up the twofold cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ukip's threat to the status quo is twofold.

The Guardian

The reason was twofold: she was not a qualified counsellor who could give professional support, and any graphic description of such a crime could trigger distress in other survivors of rape present in the room.

The Guardian

Gautam Adani, the ports-and-power mogul, says of his eldest son: "For ten years he will go through the entire firm…we are grooming him .The vulnerability this creates is twofold.

The Economist

The reasons are twofold.

The New York Times

Our role is twofold.

The Economist

In an interview that he gave to Le Figaro this week, President Jacques Chirac said that his government's response had been twofold: "the fundamental fight for equal opportunities" and "firmness in the face of violence".In the first area, there has been some effort at improvement.

The Economist

What I will be proposing are, however, significant improvements, transforming today's system into a better one.In a nutshell, the rationale underlying my reform is twofold.

The Economist

France, he said, "has not gone far enough" in reforming such areas as red tape and labour markets.Beyond the principle of rule-breaking, the underlying reservation about the French plans seem to be twofold.

The Economist

Mr Abbott, once a climate-change denier, vows to scrap the tax (as well as cut spending on Labor's schools and broadband projects).The trouble with Labor is twofold.

The Economist

The answer is twofold: their relationships and their power.

The Economist

While not bending to the kidnappers, the French strategy has been twofold: to isolate the hostage-takers by inviting a show of Muslim condemnation and, second, to use various channels to try to secure the journalists' release.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "twofold", ensure that the two aspects you are referring to are clearly delineated and explained to avoid ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "twofold" when more than two aspects are involved. If there are three or more facets, consider using phrases like "multifaceted" or "various" instead of misapplying "twofold".

Linguistic Context

The term "twofold" functions primarily as an adjective or an adverb. Ludwig's examples reveal its capability to modify nouns by expressing a dual nature or purpose. It can also describe the degree to which something is doubled.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "twofold" is a versatile term functioning as both an adjective and adverb, used to indicate something has two parts, aspects, or is doubled in degree. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. When writing, ensure you're accurately portraying only two aspects to avoid misapplication. Alternatives such as "dual" or "double" may be considered depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dual

Emphasizes the presence of two elements or aspects, often implying equal importance or function. It is more concise and direct.

double

Indicates a quantity or degree that is twice as much. It's more general and can refer to physical amounts.

two-pronged

Suggests an approach or strategy that involves two distinct methods or actions taken simultaneously.

in two ways

A simple and direct way to express that something occurs or can be considered from two different perspectives.

binary

Implies a system consisting of two parts, often mutually exclusive or opposing. Used mostly in technical or abstract contexts.

with two components

Focuses on the composition of something, indicating that it is made up of two distinct parts.

comprising two elements

Emphasizes that something is formed or constituted by two specific elements or parts.

having two aspects

Highlights the existence of two different facets or features of something.

dualistic

Refers to a philosophical or conceptual division into two distinct and often contrasting parts or principles.

divided in two

Implies a clear separation or division into two parts, often with equal or contrasting characteristics.

FAQs

How can I use "twofold" in a sentence?

Use "twofold" to describe something with two parts or aspects, such as "The company's strategy was "twofold": increase sales and reduce costs."

What are some synonyms for "twofold"?

Alternatives to "twofold" include "dual", "double", or "binary", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "twofold" in formal writing?

Yes, "twofold" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when precision is needed to describe two distinct aspects or purposes. It's commonly found in news, business, and academic contexts.

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

"Twofold" emphasizes two distinct aspects or purposes, while "double" simply means multiplied by two or twice as much. Use "twofold" when you want to highlight two different components, not just a quantity.