a pair of centuries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pair of centuries" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a duration of two centuries or a time span that encompasses two hundred years. Example: "The architectural style of the building reflects influences from a pair of centuries, showcasing both modern and traditional elements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He finished with a break of 81, his best of the day compared with a pair of centuries from Fu, who made 135 and 114.

The Guardian - Sport

Later that season, he scored a pair of centuries against arch-rivals New South Wales, accumulating 110 in each innings.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And a few yards away, GDC Properties is making a pair of century-old historic buildings into a 200,000-square-foot mixed-use project with a ground-floor restaurant and 146 rental units.

The New York Times

Having finished their first session 6-2 despiteespite a pair of century breaks, Ding dominated the second session with breaks of 59, 98 and 74 to hold a two-frame lead.

BBC

Criminal trials also proceed in accordance with a pair of centuries-old legal principles.

The New Yorker

Meals and social life center on the Bushbar, a burnished wooden tree house platform carpentered around a pair of centuries-old fig trunks.

Forbes

Only months ago a pair of Clarke centuries set Australia on its Ashes-winning course, but in the five Tests since he's averaged 17.38 and the scoring progression (24,23,10,6,10,6,23,17,19,1) is cause for concern.

The Guardian - Sport

At the Asian fair, the New York gallery China 2000 Fine Art is showing a pair of 17th-century huanghuali horseshoe chairs and a 17th-century huanghuali table inset with an 18th-century veneered bamboo top.

The New York Times - Arts

Haphazardly interspersed among them are a pair of 18th-century walnut horseshoe back chairs, a 16th-century huanghuali wine table with its original patina, a 17th-century tapered cabinet made of jumu wood, a 17th-century small huanghuali side table with a burl wood square inset in its top, and a rare 18th-century burgundy-lacquered jumu sedan chair with its own footrest.

The New York Times - Arts

A full-floor condominium at One York, the glassy 21st-century tower that uses a pair of 19th-century TriBeCa loft buildings as its base and launching pad — the Mexican "starchitect" Enrique Norten's bold interpretation of an architectural mash-up — sold for $19.5 million and was the most expensive sale of the week, according to city records.

The New York Times

This weekend he is taking an antique carved-ebony Ethiopian milk pot, a 19th-century Burmese wagon wheel and, from India, a pair of 19th-century 40-inch-tall boat prows, hand carved in teak, and a 19th-century rosewood water wheel.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a pair of centuries", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a duration of time or to distinct centuries. For clarity, specify the specific centuries (e.g., "a pair of 18th- and 19th-century chairs") when needed.

Common error

Avoid vagueness by clearly defining which centuries you're referring to. Saying "a pair of centuries" without specifying which ones can cause confusion. Always provide context or specific century numbers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of centuries" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. As Ludwig highlights, it refers to a duration of 200 years or two specific centuries.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pair of centuries" is a grammatically sound phrase denoting either 200 years or two distinct centuries. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is rare and usage ranges from neutral to formal contexts, often appearing in news articles and encyclopedic entries. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: ensure your audience understands the specific timeframe you intend to convey. More common alternatives include "two centuries" or "a couple of centuries". Although both technically correct, the meaning should be made clear based on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two hundred years

This alternative is a direct numerical equivalent, focusing on the length of time.

a couple of centuries

This alternative uses a more casual term for 'two', softening the tone.

two centuries

This alternative removes the article 'a', creating a slightly more concise phrase.

spanning two centuries

This alternative emphasizes the action of time passing across the period.

over two hundred years

This alternative highlights the duration while also being slightly less precise.

a period of two centuries

This alternative explicitly specifies 'period', adding a formal tone.

in the course of two centuries

This alternative emphasizes events happening during the specified timeframe.

during two centuries

This alternative simply specifies when events occurred.

a double century

This alternative draws an analogy to cricket, where it means scoring 200 runs.

dual centuries

This alternative is a formal and less commonly used synonym emphasizing the number two.

FAQs

What does "a pair of centuries" mean?

The phrase "a pair of centuries" typically refers to a period of 200 years or two distinct centuries (e.g., the 18th and 19th centuries).

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

You can use it to describe the age of objects, architectural styles, historical periods, or ongoing traditions. For example: "The building showcases architectural styles from "spanning a pair of centuries"".

What are some alternatives to saying "a pair of centuries"?

Alternatives include "two centuries", "a couple of centuries", or specifying the years (e.g., "two hundred years").

When is it appropriate to use "a pair of centuries" instead of "two centuries"?

While interchangeable, "a pair of centuries" can add a touch of formality or emphasis, especially when referring to distinct entities or periods. "Two centuries" is more straightforward and commonly used.