a pair of overalls

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pair of overalls" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific type of clothing that consists of trousers with a bib and shoulder straps, typically worn for work or casual wear. Example: "He wore a pair of overalls while working in the garden to protect his clothes from dirt and stains."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Wearing a pair of overalls he donned so he would not get blood from the dogs on his expensive, tailored suits, Vick took the dog down and drowned him.

Huffington Post

"I had a pair of overalls on," Dave says.

The Guardian - Music

Or the Tennessee, a pair of overalls named in honour of her BFF, Tennessee Thomas.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Wooden chairs, kitchen utensils, a pair of overalls suspended on a line, a church with a muddy picture of Jesus still posted near the ruined altar.

The New York Times - Travel

He's what you would get if you combined Tim Russert with the Southern poet James Dickey and slipped the result into a pair of overalls.

The New York Times - Magazine

In his zeal to rescue documents, he would put on a pair of overalls and search through the attics and basements of potential donors.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

In 2004 and 2005, the Swede Anja Paerson collected a pair of overall titles.

The New York Times

His wife dug up a pair of old overalls for him.

The New Yorker

They were the kind of photos that every parent takes, but one in particular stood out: Stephen wearing a pair of red overalls, smiling in a crib.

The New York Times

Take Madonna's pointy bras that have so visibly influenced a new generation — they were transformed on this runway to a bra supporting a pair of mannish overalls in liquid blue satin that followed a group of denim clothes.

The New York Times

A few months ago, her husband went out to empty the trash and came back with a gift-wrapped package: a pair of baby overalls from a neighbor who had never said hello.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a specific style or material, consider adding adjectives before "overalls" for clarity, such as "denim overalls" or "work overalls".

Common error

Avoid using the singular form "overall" when referring to the garment, as it's typically used in the plural form "overalls" because it has two legs. "Overall" is only acceptable to describe the "overall" condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of overalls" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific item of clothing, acting as the subject or object of a sentence, as seen in Ludwig examples, such as describing what someone is wearing or purchasing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a pair of overalls" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase primarily used in the News & Media context. Ludwig AI indicates that it is used to describe a specific garment, which can range from work attire to a fashion statement. While generally neutral in register, the phrase can be modified with adjectives to provide more detail. Remember to avoid using the singular form "overall" when referring to the garment. As overalls have two legs, they're always plural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one pair of overalls

More explicit in specifying the quantity as 'one'.

some overalls

Uses 'some' to indicate an unspecified quantity, differing slightly in emphasis from 'a pair'.

a set of overalls

Replaces "pair" with "set", implying a matching or coordinated ensemble.

overalls

Refers to the garment without specifying the quantity.

dungarees

Uses an alternate term for overalls, providing a synonym.

bib overalls

Specifies a particular style of overalls with a bib.

denim overalls

Specifies the material of the overalls, adding descriptive detail.

farmer's overalls

Specifies a common type of overalls often associated with agricultural work.

work overalls

Highlights the intended use of the overalls for work.

coveralls

Replaces "overalls" with "coveralls", implying a garment that covers most of the body.

FAQs

How do you use "a pair of overalls" in a sentence?

You can use "a pair of overalls" to describe what someone is wearing, like "He was wearing "a pair of overalls" while working in the garden." or to talk about clothing items like "I bought "a pair of overalls" at the thrift store."

What is another word for "a pair of overalls"?

Synonyms for "a pair of overalls" include dungarees or "coveralls". Depending on the style, you might also call them "bib overalls".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a pair of overall"?

No, the correct phrase is "a pair of overalls". Overalls are considered a plural noun, so they require the plural form.

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

While both refer to the same garment, "a pair of overalls" specifies that you are talking about one instance of the clothing. Simply saying "overalls" refers to the garment in general or could imply multiple pairs.