times vs fold

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi everyone,

Can “times” and “fold” be used interchangeably? For example, the following sentences are correct?

  1. The company’s sales increased three times.

  2. The company’s sales increased three fold.

  3. The company reported a ten-time increase in sales.

  4. The company reported a ten-fold increase in sales.

I’d really appreciate your help.

aikamamama

2

#2 is preferable, since #1 could be understood to mean that sales increased on three separate occasions.

#3 is wrong. If you wanted to say it this way then it would be “a ten-times increase in sales”, but I find this a bit ugly and prefer #4.

Note that “threefold” and “tenfold” are written as one word.

3

Thank you Dozy! My confusion has been all cleared!