Does this make sense?

Question

"The manifold way in which the door is used"

Does that sound right?

Answer 1

INSTEAD of manifold... I would use various, OR multiple.

Manifold sounds like you're trying too hard.

Answer 2

No it doesn't sound right. Manifold is usually only seen these days within literary or poetic usage although it may be used in a very formal way. Most people these days tend to think of something to do with car exhausts when they hear the word manifold.

Also in your sentence you mix singular and plural - 'singular = the manifold way' which in itself presents grammatical difficulties. If you think of replacing the word manifold with the phrase 'many and varied', the word which would follow would have to be plural 'ways'.

The manifold ways in which the door is used...... to make sense this sentence needs 'a point' adding to it. For example - the manifold ways in which the door is used may explain why it has quickly become damaged.

Answer 3

I agree with first answer.

I would use "multiple" (if you want to emphasize the number of ways) or various/diverse (if you want to emphasize the different ways)

The multiple ways that doors are used
or the multiple uses for a door. (puts the emphasis on the number of ways)

The various/diverse ways doors are used
(puts the emphasis on the different uses)

manifold, multiplex — many and varied; having many features or forms

I think manifold refers directly to an object itself, not to the ways it is used.