virtually doubled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually doubled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has increased significantly, but not necessarily by an exact factor of two. Example: "The company's profits have virtually doubled over the past year, indicating strong growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Johannesburg's black population virtually doubled, to more than 400,000.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 2008, the firm virtually doubled operating profits to £231m.

The Guardian - Business

The exciting climb across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge has virtually doubled in price.

Independent

Its industrial production doubled between 1884 and 1897, and virtually doubled again by 1913.

The Economist

Since March , 2009 when it hit a bottom, the stock market has virtually doubled in value.

The New Yorker

President Omar al-Bashir's government was prepared for demonstrations, as its recent austerity measures virtually doubled the price of petrol and cooking gas overnight.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The costs of piracy could virtually double in that time – from $8.3bn in 2010 to more than $15bn £9.1bnn) by 2015.

Independent

On completion the development, called Andermatt Swiss Alps (ASA), will virtually double the size of the town.

Independent

Such a measure would virtually double the revenue garnered from these top earners without markedly compromising their standard of living.

The New York Times

The $600 million in stimulus money virtually doubles the amount available for Superfund work in the current fiscal year, officials said.

The New York Times - Science

Diana Phillips, a Sotheby's spokeswoman, said the company had offered a fair contract and "is unwilling to accept demands that virtually double the cost of their contract".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "virtually doubled", ensure that the context supports the idea of a near-doubling, rather than an exact doubling. This adds a nuance that can be useful in describing trends or estimates.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually doubled" when the increase is precisely twofold. The term implies an approximation or near-doubling, not an exact multiplication by two. Use "doubled" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually doubled" functions as a modifier, specifically a verb phrase, describing the degree to which something has increased. It indicates an approximate doubling, suggesting the new amount is close to, but not necessarily exactly, twice the original amount. Ludwig confirms its wide usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "virtually doubled" is a frequently used verb phrase indicating a significant, near-twofold increase. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in various contexts, especially in News & Media. While versatile, it's crucial to remember that "virtually doubled" implies an approximation, not an exact doubling. For precise situations, "doubled" is more appropriate. Related phrases like "almost doubled" or "nearly doubled" can provide similar nuances. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for diverse forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost doubled

Indicates the increase was very close to being exactly double.

nearly doubled

Similar to 'almost doubled', suggesting the increase was just shy of double.

practically doubled

Emphasizes that the increase was so close to double that it is effectively the same.

effectively doubled

Suggests the result is the same as if it had doubled.

close to doubling

Focuses on the proximity to reaching a doubling point.

more than one and a half times

Highlights that the increase exceeded 150% of the original amount.

increased by approximately 100%

Quantifies the increase using a percentage, focusing on the magnitude of the change.

increased twofold

This alternative refers to multiplication by two.

expanded significantly

Focuses on the fact that something has noticeably grown.

risen substantially

Highlights the increase in a formal and measurable way.

FAQs

What does "virtually doubled" mean?

The phrase "virtually doubled" means something has increased to almost twice its original amount. It implies the quantity is close to double, but not necessarily exactly double.

Is it okay to use "virtually doubled" in formal writing?

Yes, "virtually doubled" is suitable for formal writing. Ludwig's examples show its usage in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications.

What can I say instead of "virtually doubled"?

You can use alternatives like "almost doubled", "nearly doubled", or "practically doubled", depending on the desired emphasis.

How is "virtually doubled" different from "actually doubled"?

"Virtually doubled" implies an approximate doubling, whereas "actually doubled" means the quantity has increased to exactly twice its original amount.