a pair of alternatives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pair of alternatives" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when presenting two different options or choices available in a given context. Example: "When deciding on a vacation destination, you have a pair of

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Arrow's independence condition requires that whenever all individual preferences among a pair of alternatives are the same in one profile as they are in another, the social preference among these alternatives must also be the same for the two profiles.

SEP

It requires a social welfare function, when assembling the social preference among a pair of alternatives, to take into account only those of people's preferences that concern just this pair.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

W, you might ask, TF are a pair of alternative comedy writers with pretensions of artistry doing writing a pantomime in this day and age?

The Guardian

On the earnings front, a pair of alternative energy companies arrive on Monday, with LDK Solar and Pacific Ethanol both slated to release their quarterly earnings reports.

Forbes

A pair of alternative history novels, written by Peter Dickinson, imagine a world where Albert Victor survives and reigns as Victor I.

Wikipedia

Likelihood ratio test (LRT) was used to determine whether the likelihoods of a pair of alternative branch-specific models are significantly different.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

In this paper, we analyzed differences and similarities between sets of A5Es, A3Es, and CEs, and focused on a particular type of a pair of alternative donors that are tandemly arrayed and overlapping.

BMC Genomics

A quick glance at Table  1 immediately reveals that there are many such predictions that follow from the EES position, since each row can be recast as a pair of alternative hypotheses.

Biology and Philosophy

It may be called Independence of Irrelevant Utilities (Hammond 1987), and says that the social ranking of any pair of alternatives must depend only on utility levels at these two alternatives, so that a change in the profile of utility functions which would leave the utility levels unchanged at the two alternatives should not alter how they are ranked.

SEP

For any pair of alternatives, there is at least one decisive set, the set of all lineages, as a consequence of C2.

BMC Systems Biology

This is a universe Rachel Zoe herself would never inhabit: Pre-ordering $680 shooties doesn't work for you, Zoe, or Zoe's public relations manager, has chosen a pair of Steve Madden alternatives.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting choices, use "a pair of alternatives" to clearly indicate that there are specifically two options available.

Common error

Avoid using overly complex language when presenting only two options. Stick to the simpler phrasing of "a pair of alternatives" instead of more convoluted expressions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of alternatives" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an object of a verb or preposition. It identifies two distinct choices or options, and it's commonly found in contexts where decisions or selections are being discussed, as showcased by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pair of alternatives" is a noun phrase used to present two distinct choices or options. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across a range of contexts, particularly in Science, News & Media, and Wiki. The phrase serves to inform, explain, or suggest choices clearly and concisely, making it a versatile and valuable expression in both formal and informal communication. Related phrases include "two options" and "two choices".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Two options

More concise and direct.

Two choices

Simple and widely understood.

A couple of options

Similar meaning, slightly more informal.

Paired alternatives

Emphasizes that the alternatives come in a pair.

A set of two possibilities

More formal and emphasizes possibilities.

Dual alternatives

Highlights the duality of the choices.

Two available routes

Implies a directional decision.

A dichotomy

More academic term suggesting a clear division.

A fork in the road

Figurative, suggesting a significant decision point.

Choice between two

Focuses on the act of choosing.

FAQs

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

You can use "a pair of alternatives" when presenting two distinct choices or options available in a particular situation. For example, "The company offered employees "a pair of alternatives": a pay raise or additional vacation time."

What are some synonyms for "a pair of alternatives"?

Some synonyms include "two options", "two choices", or "a couple of options". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "a pair of alternative" without the 's'?

No, it is not correct. Since "pair" implies two, "alternatives" must be plural to reflect the multiple options being presented. The correct phrasing is ""a pair of alternatives"."

How does "a pair of alternatives" differ from "several alternatives"?

"A pair of alternatives" specifically means two options, while "several alternatives" indicates more than two, without specifying an exact number. Using "a pair" emphasizes the binary nature of the choice.