a formidable pair of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a formidable pair of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two items or individuals that are impressive, powerful, or capable in some way. Example: "The team presented a formidable pair of arguments that left the judges thoroughly impressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She faced down her own fears -- an inward two-and-a-half somersault that has spooked her -- and a formidable pair of Chinese divers, who were expected to top the competition.

The New York Times - Sports

Covering the latest issue of The New York Times Magazine, the glowing sisters posed defiantly aside one another, hands clenched and a formidable pair of rock-hard abs on display.

Huffington Post

But Bob Appleyard, another of his former players, gives Yardley credit for recognising his potential and encouraging him to become a spinner, and believes that he and Hutton made a formidable pair of tacticians.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Coupled with the soon-to-ship iRig Mic, the two make a formidable pair for creating many kinds of audio recordings: vocal performance, field recordings, etc. Video below.

TechCrunch

In the Assembly elections in May 2011, McGuinness and Robinson were a formidable pair, and voters responded to their call for stability in a time of economic uncertainty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They were a formidable pair.

The Guardian

Nonetheless, with their different political hues they should make for a formidable pair.

The New York Times

They were a formidable pair, each reinforcing the other at every opportunity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Today the two are a formidable pair.

Forbes

The last Broadway version, an overscale production starring the formidable pair of Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren, also had a hollow feeling about it, and previous Broadway productions, with the equally impressive duos of Viveca Lindfors and Rip Torn (in 1971), and Zoe Caldwell and Robert Shaw (in 1974), together played a total of 42 performances.

The New York Times

Bayern, whose team included the formidable pair of Lothar Matthäus and Soren Lerby started to exert some authority in the second half, with Wohlfahrt missing a great headed chance.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing individuals, ensure the context supports the implication of combined strength or influence. "A formidable pair of" is best used when their partnership enhances their individual abilities.

Common error

Avoid using "a formidable pair of" in situations where 'strong' or 'capable' would suffice. The phrase carries a weight that should be reserved for genuinely impressive combinations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a formidable pair of" functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the pair possesses impressive strength, skill, or power. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a formidable pair of" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes two entities possessing significant combined strength or capability. Though deemed 'Rare' due to the limited number of examples found in the search data, it is predominantly used in News & Media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for formal or professional writing, offering a stronger and more impactful alternative to phrases like "a strong pair of". When using this phrase, ensure that the context supports the implication of enhanced combined abilities and avoid overuse in simple scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a daunting pair of

Replaces 'formidable' with 'daunting', emphasizing the intimidating aspect.

a powerful duo of

Uses 'powerful' instead of 'formidable' and 'duo' instead of 'pair', highlighting strength and partnership.

an impressive combination of

Shifts from a 'pair' to a 'combination', focusing on the overall impact of their attributes.

a strong twosome of

Substitutes 'formidable' with 'strong' and 'pair' with 'twosome', using more informal language.

a fearsome twain of

Replaces with 'fearsome' and 'twain', injecting a archaic element.

a tremendous brace of

Use 'tremendous' instead of 'formidable' and 'brace' instead of 'pair'.

a remarkable couple of

Changes 'formidable' to 'remarkable' and 'pair' to 'couple', focusing on their noteworthy qualities.

a commanding alliance of

Focuses on power and alliance.

a significant tandem of

Replaces 'formidable' with 'significant' and 'pair' with 'tandem', suggesting importance and cooperation.

a mighty duo of

Use 'mighty' instead of 'formidable'.

FAQs

How can I use "a formidable pair of" in a sentence?

Use "a formidable pair of" to describe two entities that are impressive or powerful when combined. For example, "The company presented "a formidable pair of" arguments during the negotiation."

What are some alternatives to "a formidable pair of"?

You can use alternatives like "a powerful duo of", "an impressive combination of", or "a strong twosome of" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a formidable pair of" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a formidable pair of" is more suited to formal or professional contexts. In informal writing, simpler alternatives like "a strong pair of" might be more appropriate.

What makes "a formidable pair of" different from "a strong pair of"?

"Formidable" implies a greater degree of impressiveness, power, or even intimidation than "strong". "A formidable pair of" suggests that the combination is particularly effective or challenging, while "a strong pair of" simply indicates strength.