a pair of pants

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pair of pants" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a single item of clothing that covers the legs and is worn from the waist down. Example: "I need to buy a new pair of pants for the upcoming event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She needed a pair of pants resized.

The New York Times

"Plus I got a pair of pants".

The New Yorker

An intellectual bought a pair of pants.

The New Yorker

Inside was a pair of pants.

The New Yorker

"But for everyone else, really, get a pair of pants".

The New York Times

I desperately needed a pair of pants and jacket pressed.

The New York Times

Hasn't had a pair of pants on for nineteen years.

The New Yorker

"He told me he needed a pair of pants to match that jacket," Mr. Tezcan said.

The New York Times

"The dog was there playing with a pair of pants, because he was just a puppy".

The New York Times

A cosmic swirl of matter ultimately resolves itself into a pair of pants.

The New York Times - Books

Theory's prices are typically $240 for a pair of pants and $175 for a top.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the fit or style of "a pair of pants", be specific. For example, instead of just saying "a pair of pants", specify "a pair of tailored pants" or "a pair of wide-leg pants" to provide more clarity.

Common error

Avoid saying "a pants" because pants is a plural noun that requires the term "pair". It is correct to say "a pair of pants".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of pants" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples from Ludwig show it referring to a specific item of clothing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

22%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a pair of pants" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage in referring to a specific article of clothing. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, it serves the straightforward purpose of identifying and mentioning trousers. When writing, remember to use "a pair of pants", avoiding the incorrect singular form "a pants". Consider using more specific alternatives like "a pair of jeans" or "a pair of slacks" for clarity. Given its prevalence and acceptance, "a pair of pants" remains a reliable and versatile phrase in both spoken and written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pair of trousers

Replaces "pants" with its British English equivalent, "trousers".

some trousers

Uses a different term for pants, implying the existence of multiple trousers.

a set of trousers

Replaces "pair" with "set", emphasizing the garment as part of an outfit.

some slacks

Replaces "pants" with "slacks", which is a slightly more formal term.

a pair of jeans

Specifies the type of pants as jeans, providing more detail.

new pants

Focuses on the pants being new, omitting the word "pair".

some leggings

Indicates the garment as leggings and implies the existence of multiple items

a pant

Refers to pants in singular form, which may be less common but still understandable in certain contexts.

a garment for the legs

Describes the item by its function, which is more general.

clothing for the legs

Describes the pants with its function, which is more generic

FAQs

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

While both phrases refer to the same type of garment, "a pair of pants" is more common in American English, whereas "a pair of trousers" is more prevalent in British English.

Can I use "pants" in the singular form?

The term "pants" is typically used in its plural form. To refer to a single item, use the phrase "a pair of pants".

What are some other words for "a pair of pants"?

Depending on the context, you might use terms like "a pair of slacks", "a pair of jeans", or "leggings".

How to use "a pair of pants" in a sentence?

You can use "a pair of pants" to refer to an item of clothing: "I need to buy a new pair of pants."