Well-matched pair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Well-matched pair" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe two items, people, or entities that complement or correspond well with each other. For example, "The two players formed a well-matched pair on the court." Alternative expressions include "perfect match" and "ideal couple."

✓ Grammatically correct

Bioinformatics

News & Media

Arts

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The proportion of exons outside of the 99% confidence interval was reduced to 1.8% for the well-matched pair of exomes and to 2.3% for the poorly matched pair (blue lines in Fig. 1B and C, respectively) To quantify this noise in the sequence data, we defined the statistic as the ratio between the standard errors of the beta-binomial model and the binomial model.

Bioinformatics

The sopranos, Roberta Invernizzi and Lucia Cirillo, make a strong, well-matched pair.

The New York Times

They are a well-matched pair, both slight and quick, moving with the flowing, airy speed and musicality demanded by the Glinka score.

The New York Times - Arts

Prudently Olive is beginning with two of the most famous titles in the collection, though they happen to be a well-matched pair in many other ways.

The New York Times

These unabashed hams who met years ago while attending the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and have since amassed an impressive list of Broadway credits, are a well-matched pair of competitive scene stealers.

The New York Times - Arts

The two recognizable stars of "Splice," a pleasurably shivery, sometimes delightfully icky horror movie about love and monsters in the age of genetic engineering, are Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley, a well-matched pair of earthbound oddities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

We adjusted for pairs that were not perfectly matched by only using outcomes that confirmed or complemented results of the well-matched pairs.

BMC Public Health

Lin's frequentist cost history method for censored data and Bayesian zero-inflated gamma regression models were used to analyze healthcare costs.The clopidogrel/prasugrel matched-cohort included 10,963 well-matched pairs of patients.

Duke University

Affidavits from friends of Mr. Pistorius made the same point, describing the pair as a well-matched couple contemplating making a life together.

The New York Times

"They were a well-matched couple".

The New York Times - Arts

Also, I grew up around a grand love affair; this well-matched couple – my parents.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing people, ensure that the qualities being matched are relevant and meaningful in the given context. Using "well-matched pair" implies a significant degree of compatibility.

Common error

Avoid using "well-matched pair" when describing things that simply coexist without any inherent compatibility. It's more suitable for describing synergistic relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well-matched pair" functions primarily as a descriptive term, characterizing two entities that exhibit a high degree of compatibility or suitability. It often serves to highlight a harmonious or synergistic relationship, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "well-matched pair" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for describing two entities that are highly compatible, suitable, or complementary. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's most commonly found in News & Media, Science and Academia. The phrase is considered neutral in tone, appropriate for educated audiences, and is useful when you wish to emphasize positive outcomes and synergistic relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Ideal pairing

Emphasizes the perfection of the match.

Perfect fit

Highlights the seamless compatibility between the two elements.

Harmonious combination

Focuses on the pleasant and balanced nature of the union.

Complementary duo

Stresses how each element enhances the other.

Suited partners

Indicates that the partners are appropriate for each other.

Apt coupling

Highlights the appropriateness of the connection.

Well-suited match

Similar but puts more emphasis on the 'match' aspect.

Good combination

A more general term for things that go well together.

Compatible pairing

Uses the term 'compatible', which is slightly more technical.

Matching set

Suggests more of a visual or aesthetic correspondence.

FAQs

How can I use "well-matched pair" in a sentence?

You can use "well-matched pair" to describe two entities that complement each other effectively. For example, "The two actors formed a "well-matched pair" on screen".

What are some alternatives to "well-matched pair"?

Alternatives include "ideal pairing", "perfect fit", or "harmonious combination", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "well-matched pair" to describe inanimate objects?

Yes, but ensure that the objects have a clear, beneficial relationship. For example, "The wine and cheese were a "well-matched pair"" suggests they enhance each other's flavors.

What's the difference between "well-matched pair" and "good combination"?

"Well-matched pair" implies a stronger, more intentional compatibility, while "good combination" is a more general term for things that simply go well together without a strong synergy.