a friendly pair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a friendly pair" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two individuals or items that have a pleasant or amicable relationship or appearance. Example: "The two dogs were a friendly pair, always playing together in the park."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Alistair is the slightly more intense member of a friendly pair and his knuckles often rap urgently on the tabletop while Jonny chats away cheerfully.

The Guardian - Sport

The place is owned by Juan Carlos and François (they both go by their first names only), a friendly pair of nontraditional gentlemen who remodeled the building themselves and run all day-to-day operations except the meals (which are lovingly prepared by François's sister, Nelly).

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A boisterous and friendly pair, they welcomed me with hugs and drinks right off the bat.

Vice

The friendly pair were spotted leaving the Vera Wang Bridal Studio in New York City together back in June.

Huffington Post

I used to run into the friendly pair -- one from Louisiana, the other from Texas -- leaning on a concrete barrier near the dining hall.

Huffington Post

This platonically friendly pair of singer-songwriters on the cusp of 30 (Santo's milestone birthday is January 20) have plenty more vivid tales to share about death, despair and dealing with the dark side while building a cult following as they wait for a head-on collision with the big time.

Huffington Post

But is it apropos to give an eco-friendly pair of shoes to a nephew who really, really wants a Game Boy? Will your co-workers turn their backs on you if, instead of the usual Starbucks gift cards you normally pass out, you buy a small herd of goats for an African family in their names?

Forbes

The lunchbox is easy for kids to carry, and is simple to open and close thanks to a finger-friendly pair of "ears".

TechCrunch

Sometimes your best bet is to pair with a friendly engineer who has a dispenser set up.

WikiHow

A friendly frog family picks up the pair and drives them back to Jim's house in a red, plush, Mr. Toad-like roadster.

The New York Times - Books

Colombia climb one place to third after losing to Brazil in a friendly, largely due to Holland's pair of defeats under their new manager, Guus Hiddink, that saw them drop to fourth with Belgium completing the top five.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a friendly pair", ensure the context clarifies whether you are referring to people, animals, or objects exhibiting positive interaction.

Common error

Avoid using "a friendly pair" to describe relationships based purely on utility; reserve it for scenarios where genuine amiability is evident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a friendly pair" primarily functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It characterizes two entities, whether people, animals, or objects, as exhibiting amiability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a friendly pair" is a descriptive phrase used to denote two entities that share a positive and amicable relationship. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While generally neutral in register, its usage is more common in news, media, and general conversation. Remember to consider the specific context to ensure the phrase accurately conveys the intended sense of warmth and harmony. Alternatives like "an amicable duo" or "a pleasant duo" can be used for slight variations in tone or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an amicable duo

Replaces "friendly" with "amicable", suggesting a more formal and polite relationship.

a pleasant duo

Uses a more generic adjective than friendly.

a congenial couple

Emphasizes the pleasantness and agreeableness of the pair's interaction.

a harmonious twosome

Highlights the smooth and peaceful nature of their relationship.

an agreeable couple

Focuses on the consensus and compatibility between the pair.

a likeable couple

Focuses on the characteristic that the pair is easily liked by others.

a warm couple

Emphasizes the kindness and positive regard between the pair.

a charming pair

Highlights the attractiveness and pleasing qualities of the pair.

a well-suited couple

Indicates that the two individuals complement each other well.

a sympathetic pair

Emphasizes the mutual understanding and support between the pair.

FAQs

How can I use "a friendly pair" in a sentence?

You can use "a friendly pair" to describe two entities that have a good relationship. For example: "The two dogs were "a friendly pair", always playing together."

What's a good alternative to "a friendly pair"?

Alternatives include "an amicable duo", "a congenial couple", or "a pleasant duo" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "a friendly pair" to describe objects?

Yes, you can use "a friendly pair" to describe objects if they appear to complement each other well or have a harmonious arrangement. For instance, "The vases made "a friendly pair" on the table."

What connotations does "a friendly pair" have?

"A friendly pair" suggests warmth, approachability, and positive interaction. It implies a relationship based on mutual goodwill and companionship.