twice
twice — predeterminer
1. used before a noun phrase that includes a determiner (such as 'the', 'my', or 't
used before a noun phrase that includes a determiner (such as 'the', 'my', or 'this') to mean 'two times as much' or 'two times as many'
Felix earns twice the salary that he made five years ago.
twice + determiner (the) + noun for comparison
The family's new house is twice the size of their old apartment.
Renata paid twice the usual fare for a taxi during the heavy rain.
Shanti's luggage weighed twice the limit allowed on international flights.
Eli's new bicycle cost twice the price of his old one.
- double
used as a determiner/adjective in similar contexts ('double the amount'), but 'double' can also be a verb
- half
used in the same predeterminer position for the opposite comparison ('half the size')
文法句型
twice + determiner (the / my / this) + noun
用法筆記
This sense requires a determiner (article, possessive, or demonstrative) before the noun. Say 'twice the amount' or 'twice my age', NOT 'twice amount'.
常見錯誤
twice — adverb
1. on two separate occasions; a total of two times
on two separate occasions; a total of two times
Imani called the bank twice but the line was always busy.
verb + twice at end of clause
The smoke alarm rang twice in the middle of the night.
Christopher read the rental agreement twice before signing it.
Hugo visited the museum twice and still wanted to go again.
The night-shift nurse checked the patient's temperature twice that evening.
- two times
less common and less idiomatic in most contexts, especially in everyday speech
- once
happening one time only, the opposite of two times
文法句型
verb + twice
auxiliary verb + twice
twice at end of clause
用法筆記
Usually placed at the end of the clause. When an auxiliary verb is present, it can also sit between the auxiliary and the main verb ('She has twice called to complain'), but end position is more natural.
常見錯誤
2. by a factor of two; to a degree or in an amount that is two times greater
by a factor of two; to a degree or in an amount that is two times greater
The train ticket cost twice as much during the New Year holiday.
twice as + adjective (much) for degree comparison
Élise ran twice as fast in the final race as she did in practice.
Anong's new computer is twice as powerful as her old one.
Sofie had twice as many books to read for the final exam as her classmates.
Emre spent twice as long on the homework as his younger sister did.
- doubly
formal register, used before adjectives ('doubly important') rather than in 'as…as' comparisons
- half as
used in the same comparison structure to indicate half the amount or degree ('half as expensive')
文法句型
twice as + adjective/adverb
twice as + much/many + noun
twice the + noun
用法筆記
Do not use 'twice' before a comparative adjective ('cheaper', 'bigger') — say 'twice as cheap' or 'half the price' instead. The structure is always 'twice as + adjective/adverb'.