044_Multiplying_English

044_Multiplying_English

Some special words in English are used for showing that something has multiplied. The word ‘double’ is perhaps the most common one. In this episode, Nichibei instructor Tom Trinkle and student Akio look at some other multiplying English words.

Kevin:

Hello everyone and welcome to Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting. A great way to review English words and phrases. My name is Kevin Jones. This week, we have a question from Nichibei student Akio. Hello Akio.

Akio:

Hi Kevin.

Kevin:

And here to help us out with that question is Nichibei instructor Tom Trinkle. How are you today Tom?

Tom Trinkle:

Very well thank you.

Kevin:

Tom, have you met Akio before?

Tom Trinkle:

Yes, of course I have. I’m his class advisor. He’s in the three month intensive program. I’m teaching his speaking class.

Kevin:

So Akio, how do you feel about the 3 month intensive course?

Akio:

I like it. It’s going very well. I especially like Mr. Trinkle’s speaking class.

Tom Trinkle:

Oh come on. You’re just saying that.

Akio:

No it’s true! Your class is fun and I feel I get a lot out of it.

Tom Trinkle:

Well, that’s kind of your to say so. So anyway Akio, what question do you have for us?

Akio:

OK. So, I was reading this business report and I came across this sentence. Here take a look at this.

Tom Trinkle:

Ok. ‘Profits reached 6 million dollars for 2005, a sixfold increase over 2004’.

Akio:

Yeah, Sixfold. What does that mean exactly. I couldn’t find it in my dictionary.

Tom Trinkle:

Sixfold means multiplied by six or six times more. Fold is a suffix which makes adjectives and adverbs from cardinal numbers. For example, twofold, threefold and so on.

Akio:

OK I see. By the way, what is a cardinal number ?

Tom Trinkle:

It means a number representing quantity (such as one, two, three) as opposed to an ordinal number (such as first, second, third and so on). Anyway Akio, do you understand how to use fold?

Akio:

Yes, I think so. Let me try. If I have ten million dollars…

Tom Trinkle:

If you have ten million dollars, you’re taking me out to out dinner!

Akio:

I wish! So anyway, a sixfold increase is sixty million dollars.

Tom Trinkle:

You’ve got it. Pretty simple eh?

Akio:

Can I use fold with any number?

Tom Trinkle:

Ahh…yes, I guess you can, but the most common ones are twofold, threefold, fourfold, …all the way up to ten. Beyond that only increments of ten, such as twentyfold and thirtyfold are used.

Akio:

Fold seems pretty convenient for talking about increases.

Tom Trinkle:

Yes it is. As long as we’re on this subject, let me give you some other vocabulary for multiplying.

Akio:

Sure. OK.

Tom Trinkle:

I assume you know the verb double.

Akio:

Sure. Double means twice as much or two times something.

Tom Trinkle:

That’s right. Now, what verb do we use for three times?

Akio:

I’m pretty sure that’s triple.

Tom Trinkle:

You’re right. Now here is a tough one. What verb do we use for four times?

Akio:

I have no idea.

Tom Trinkle:

It’s quadruple.

Akio:

How’s that spelled

Tom Trinkle:

It’s spelled QUADRUPLE. And there is one more used for five times.

Akio:

What is it?

Tom Trinkle:

It’s quintuple. It’s spelled QUINTUPLE. OK Akio, that’s all I’ve got on multiplying English.

Akio:

Thanks Mr. Trinkle. Very interesting. Thanks for your help.

Tom Trinkle:

Don’t mention it Akio. It was my pleasure.

Kevin:

Now let’s review some of the vocabulary used in this episode.
Twofold
Threefold
Sixfold
Cardinal Number
Ordinal number
Double
Triple
Quadruple
Quintuple

END