a pack of three

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pack of three" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a set or group of three items that are sold or packaged together. Example: "I bought a pack of three batteries for my remote control."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

A year later, he remained in a pack of three leaders until Mile 25, when his calves tightened and he settled for third place.

The New York Times - Sports

They're just from a pack of three.

The Guardian - Sport

A pack of three is $2.95 at Broadway Panhandler.

The New York Times

A pack of three is 99 cents at Duane Reade: www.duanereade.com for locations.

The New York Times

Calvin Klein Underwear T-shirt, $30 (for a pack of three).

The New York Times - Style

Wilson Championship Regular Duty tennis balls, $2 for a pack of three.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

A pack of four digital baseball cards costs $3.95.

MIT Technology Review

At Broadway Panhandler, a pack of two is $9.95.

The New York Times - Food

Do batteries even come in a pack of seven?

The New Yorker

Clapper hands me a pack of five fruit-flavour "shishas".

The Guardian

**Please note that the fanny pack is powered by a pack of ten AA NiMH batteries.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing items sold together, use "a pack of three" to clearly indicate the quantity and packaging. For example, "a pack of three socks" or "a pack of three light bulbs".

Common error

Avoid using "packs of three" when referring to a single unit containing three items. "A pack of three" is already plural in meaning. The plural "packs" should be used only when referring to multiple such packs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pack of three" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a determiner and noun to describe the quantity and packaging of items. It indicates that the items are sold or grouped together in a unit of three. Ludwig confirms this through its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a pack of three" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a group of three items sold or packaged together. According to Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase and serves to describe the quantity and arrangement of items. Its neutral register allows for versatile usage across various contexts, most commonly in news, science, and general writing. Alternative expressions such as "a set of three" or "a trio of items" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. Remember to avoid the less common "packs of three" when talking about one set of items.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a set of three

Replaces "pack" with "set", emphasizing the collection or grouping of three items.

a trio of items

Uses "trio" instead of "pack of three", highlighting the number three in a more concise way.

a group of three

Substitutes "pack" with "group", focusing on the general aggregation of three items.

three-piece set

Emphasizes that the items are designed or sold as a coordinated set of three.

a collection of three

Uses "collection" instead of "pack", suggesting a more curated or deliberate grouping of three items.

an ensemble of three

Employs "ensemble" to imply a harmonious or complementary grouping of three items, often in a creative or artistic context.

a triad

Replaces "pack of three" with "triad", emphasizing the concept of three as a unit.

three united

This emphasizes the unification of the three items.

Triple set

This is more concise and puts emphasis on the amount and the type of set.

Threesome

Informal but simple alteration of the phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "a pack of three" in a sentence?

You can use "a pack of three" to describe a set of three items that are sold or used together. For example, "I bought "a pack of three" tennis balls" or "The store sells "a pack of three" AA batteries for $5".

What phrases are similar to "a pack of three"?

Similar phrases include "a set of three", "a trio of items", or "a group of three". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "packs of three"?

While grammatically possible, "packs of three" is less common than "a pack of three" when referring to a single unit containing three items. "Packs of three" is more appropriate when discussing multiple such units.

What is the difference between "a pack of three" and "three items"?

"A pack of three" implies the items are packaged or sold together, while "three items" simply refers to the quantity without specifying packaging or grouping. For example, ""a pack of three" cookies" suggests they are sold together, while "three cookies" only states the number of cookies.