twofold

/ˈtuːfəʊld/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtuːfəʊld/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtü-ˌfōld -ˈfōld/ (ame, mw) · /ˈtuː.fəʊld/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtuː.foʊld/ (ame, ipa)

twofold — 形容詞

  • twofoldpositive
  • more twofoldcomparative
  • most twofoldsuperlative

1. Something that is twofold is double the starting size, number, or amount — for e

1.形容詞B2
釋義

兩倍的；雙倍

數量或規模為原來的兩倍

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.

例句

The company reported a twofold increase in profits after opening new branches in Kaohsiung.

這間公司回報在高雄開設新分店後，利潤增長了兩倍。

collocation: twofold increase in [something]

A twofold jump in student numbers forced the school to hire five new teachers.

學生人數翻倍成長，迫使學校加聘了五位老師。

同義詞
  • double

    More common in everyday speech; can be used as adjective, verb, or noun, whereas 'twofold' is adjective or adverb only

  • twice

    Adverb only, used in different syntactic patterns ('twice as much' vs 'a twofold increase')

反義詞
  • 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

❌The cost increased by twofold.
✅The cost increased twofold.
💡'twofold' already means 'by two times', so adding 'by' before it is redundant.
❌There was a twofolds increase.
✅There was a twofold increase.
💡'twofold' does not add -s for plural agreement.

2. Something that is twofold is made up of two distinct elements or sides that toge

2.形容詞B2
釋義

雙重的；兩層

由兩個不同部分或面向組成

Something that is twofold is made up of two distinct elements or sides that together form a single situation, plan, or object.

例句

The safety system had a twofold goal: warn drivers and slow traffic near schools.

這套安全系統有兩個目標：提醒駕駛人，並在學校附近減速。

pattern: purpose/reason + be + twofold + colon + list of two

The government announced a twofold strategy of building more homes and controlling rental prices.

政府宣布了一項雙管齊下的策略，包括興建更多住宅與管控租金價格。

collocation: twofold + strategy / plan / aim

同義詞
  • dual

    Slightly more formal; often used for systems or functions ('dual role', 'dual purpose')

  • double

    Can also mean 'having two parts', but focuses more on matching or paired elements

反義詞
  • single

    Having only one part or aspect

  • simple

    Not made up of multiple components

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

❌The reason is two folds.
✅The reason is twofold.
💡'twofold' is a single word, not two separate words.

twofold — 副詞