twofold
twofold — adjective
1. Something that is twofold is double the starting size, number, or amount — for e
Something that is twofold is double the starting size, number, or amount — for example, a twofold rise in sales means the new figure is exactly two times the old one.
The company reported a twofold increase in profits after opening new branches in Kaohsiung.
collocation: twofold increase in [something]
A twofold jump in student numbers forced the school to hire five new teachers.
After the factory opened, the town's population grew twofold in five years.
The rise in apartment rents across the city was twofold between 2018 and 2023.
- half
Refers to one of two equal parts, the opposite of doubling
文法句型
a twofold + noun (increase, rise, growth)
subject + be + twofold
用法筆記
This sense is most common in formal or written English with abstract nouns such as 'increase', 'rise', 'growth', 'jump'. In everyday conversation, 'double' or 'twice' are more natural.
常見錯誤
2. Something that is twofold is made up of two distinct elements or sides that toge
Something that is twofold is made up of two distinct elements or sides that together form a single situation, plan, or object.
The safety system had a twofold goal: warn drivers and slow traffic near schools.
pattern: purpose/reason + be + twofold + colon + list of two
The government announced a twofold strategy of building more homes and controlling rental prices.
collocation: twofold + strategy / plan / aim
Felix said the problem was twofold: lack of funds and shortage of skilled workers.
The charity's mission is twofold: provide clean water and teach basic hygiene in villages.
文法句型
subject + be + twofold
a twofold + noun (purpose, aim, nature, reason)
用法筆記
Almost always used predicatively when the two parts are listed after a colon, as in 'the reason is twofold: first… and second…'. Attributive use ('a twofold strategy') is less common but acceptable.
常見錯誤
twofold — adverb
1. When a quantity or value changes twofold, it becomes exactly two times its previ
When a quantity or value changes twofold, it becomes exactly two times its previous size, number, or amount.
The price of rice increased twofold after the drought damaged the main farming regions.
verb + twofold: increased twofold
Since the new road opened, the number of park visitors has grown twofold.
The cost of repairing the bridge rose twofold after engineers found cracks in the supports.
The hospital's demand for blood donations expanded twofold during the three-week emergency period.
- doubly
More common in figurative or abstract contexts ('doubly important'), whereas 'twofold' is literal about quantity
文法句型
verb + twofold (increase, grow, rise, expand)
increase twofold
用法筆記
Used primarily with verbs of growth or change (increase, grow, rise, expand, multiply). Unlike the adjective sense, the adverb never appears before a noun. In informal speech, 'doubled' (verb) or 'twice as much' are far more common.