a mere pair of persons

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere pair of persons" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the simplicity or insignificance of two individuals in a particular context. Example: "In the grand scheme of things, they were just a mere pair of persons lost in the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Outside the Albert Hall, I met a woman flogging a pair of tickets to the Ring in Bayreuth for a mere couple of thousand pounds.

The Guardian - Music

A claim is a relation between a person and a pair of outcomes.

Duke University

For many years thereafter, however, some uncertainty remained as to whether this pair was a mere juxtaposition of stars or a gravitationally bound system.

Wikipedia

By next year, the cost of sequencing a person's genome is expected to be a mere penny per base pair.

MIT Technology Review

He's also a wonderful person, and a devoted dad to a pair of daughters.

Huffington Post

This also meant that I could see Xander as a person rather than as a mere appendage of my own weird world.

The New York Times

Talk about persons must be taken seriously, and not as a mere figure of speech.

SEP

Brower and Rea maintain that each person of the trinity is a substance; thus, none is a mere aspect of a substance, and so modalism is avoided.

SEP

A mere question of style?

The New York Times

Space is a mere absence of entity.

SEP

Green Dot serves a mere 2% to 4% of them.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for simplicity or understatement, "a mere pair of persons" can effectively downplay the significance of a small group.

Common error

Avoid using "a mere pair of persons" in casual contexts; it can sound stilted or overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "just a couple of people".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere pair of persons" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a determiner phrase that modifies a noun. It serves to quantify and describe a group of two people, often with an implication of insignificance or smallness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a mere pair of persons" is grammatically sound but lacks widespread usage in contemporary English. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness but examples are missing. It serves to emphasize the smallness or insignificance of two individuals, best suited for formal contexts where a tone of understatement is desired. For everyday conversation, simpler alternatives are generally preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just two individuals

Replaces "mere pair" with a simpler quantifier, maintaining a neutral tone.

simply a couple of people

Uses more common vocabulary for 'pair' and 'persons', making it more accessible.

only a handful of individuals

Emphasizes the small number more strongly than the original phrase.

a scarce duo of people

Introduces a sense of rarity or scarcity to the description.

a paltry couple of individuals

Adds a dismissive or belittling tone to the small number.

a trivial pair of people

Highlights the insignificance of the two people.

a modest couple of individuals

Downplays the importance or impact of the two people.

a negligible pair of persons

Indicates the unimportance or lack of consequence of the two people.

a minimal number of persons

Focuses on the reduced quantity of individuals involved.

hardly anyone

Emphasizes the lack of people, simplifying the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "a mere pair of persons" in a sentence?

You can use "a mere pair of persons" to emphasize the small number and potential insignificance of two individuals in a given context. For example, "Among the hundreds present, there were "just two individuals" who opposed the decision, "a mere pair of persons" whose voices were lost in the crowd".

What are some alternatives to "a mere pair of persons"?

Some alternatives include "just two individuals", "simply a couple of people", or "only a handful of individuals", depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is "a mere pair of persons" too formal for everyday conversation?

Yes, "a mere pair of persons" is generally too formal for everyday conversation. Simpler phrases like "just a couple of people" or "two people" are more appropriate in informal settings.

When is it appropriate to use "a mere pair of persons"?

It's appropriate to use "a mere pair of persons" in formal writing or when you want to emphasize the insignificance of a small number of people. It can be used to create a sense of understatement or to highlight a contrast with a larger group or situation.