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Twice vs. Double

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Twice vs. Double

by TGE » Wed May 20, 2009 11:14 am
All,

I have a general question regarding the use of the word "twice" vs. the use of the word "double." Please see an example below:

Facebook has more than 200 million active users, double the number it had last August.

Can you use the word "twice" in place of "double?" Or would, "Facebook has more than 200 million active users, twice the number it had last August," be incorrect?

If anyone can shed light on this, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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by aj5105 » Wed May 20, 2009 11:40 am
As per the dictionary

double is a verb

Ex: "The population doubled within 50 years"

twice is an adverb

Ex: "I called her twice"


800Bob's words:

Yes, the dictionary says that "twice" is an adverb, but it's perfectly idiomatic to say "twice the number." Putting "twice" before "the number" does not make "twice" an adjective. If it were an adjective you'd have to place it after "the," but you can't say "the twice number."


Hope you got your answer.
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