a pair of classmates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pair of classmates" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two students who are in the same class or educational setting. Example: "During the group project, a pair of classmates collaborated effectively to complete their assignment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A pair of classmates, Gregory McKnight and Charles Ferraro, are agents at the William Morris Agency and the United Talent Agency, respectively.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For the Spelldown, we all stood by the blackboard, Miss Niblack calling out one half of a pair of homonyms and my classmates sitting down as soon as they had failed.

The New Yorker

Across the store, a classmate fingered a pair of chandelier earrings.

The New Yorker

An incident at school, where a classmate stabbed him with a pair of scissors and nearly killed him, intensified this feeling.

Los Angeles Times

I work, I love spending time with my family, I have (to the amusement of school friends who voted me and two other classmates "least likely to ever own a pair of trainers") discovered a passion for exercise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just last week, Kenneth S. Gregorio and Brian J. Juliano, a pair of college students in New Jersey, were taken into custody after being accused of selling Ecstasy to their classmates at Monmouth University.

The New York Times

In a pair of blog postings last week, Dan Savage, a sex columnist based in Seattle, assigns the blame to negligent teachers and school administrators, bullying classmates and "hate groups that warp some young minds and torment others".

The New York Times

One classmate, the son of a physician, "went out shopping with his parents and came back with a pair of $200 shoes," Harold recalls.

The New York Times

A pair of friends.

The New Yorker

A pair of shoes?

The New York Times

A pair of dolphins.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a pair of classmates", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to two specific individuals who share a class together. Avoid ambiguity by providing further details if necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "a pair of classmates" when referring to a general group of students or when the exact number is not relevant. Opt for terms like "students", "class members", or "peers" instead to maintain accuracy and relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of classmates" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It identifies two specific individuals who share the same class. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pair of classmates" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to refer to two students who share a class. While it is considered rare in occurrence, Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. Its usage is primarily found in news and media sources. When using this phrase, clarity is key, ensuring the context clearly identifies two specific individuals. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "two students in the same class" or "two fellow students" to maintain accuracy and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two students in the same class

Replaces "a pair of classmates" with a more explicit description of the relationship, maintaining the core meaning.

two fellow students

Substitutes "classmates" with "fellow students", emphasizing shared academic status, while retaining the numerical specification.

a couple of students in class

Uses "a couple of" instead of "a pair of", which is a common synonym, and includes "in class" for clarity.

two members of the class

Replaces 'classmates' with 'members of the class', offering a more formal tone while preserving the core concept.

some students in the same grade

Changes "classmates" to a broader "students in the same grade", extending the context slightly.

two pupils in the same course

Replaces 'students' with 'pupils' and 'class' with 'course', altering the tone and potentially the educational level implied.

a duo of learners

Substitutes common terms with more evocative, slightly elevated language ('duo' and 'learners').

a twosome of scholars

Employs more formal synonyms ('twosome' and 'scholars') to convey the same basic concept with a different stylistic flavor.

a set of schoolmates

Replaces 'classmates' with 'schoolmates', broadening the context from a specific class to the entire school.

a brace of academics

Uses 'brace' for 'pair' and 'academics' for 'classmates', significantly changing the tone and formality.

FAQs

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

You can use "a pair of classmates" to refer to two students who are in the same class. For example, "A pair of classmates collaborated on a project".

What's the difference between "a pair of classmates" and "a group of classmates"?

"A pair of classmates" specifically refers to two individuals, while "a group of classmates" indicates three or more students.

Are there any synonyms for "a pair of classmates"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "two students in the same class" or "two fellow students" as alternatives.

Is it appropriate to use "a pair of classmates" in formal writing?

Yes, "a pair of classmates" is generally appropriate for both formal and informal writing, as long as the context is clear and the phrase accurately describes the situation.