a pair of problems

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pair of problems" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to two specific issues or challenges that are being discussed or analyzed. Example: "The project faced a pair of problems that needed to be addressed before moving forward: budget constraints and resource allocation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

RECORD FINE Seeking to resolve a pair of problems that had tarnished its reputation and endangered billions in federal contracts, Boeing agreed to pay a record $615 million in penalties to resolve a civil lawsuit and avoid a criminal indictment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The deployment uncovers a pair of technical problems involving the provisioning of data provenance and memoization (computational caching) so I also contribute solutions to these problems.

University of California, Berkeley

With the Plus versions, Palm is trying to put a pair of those problems out to pasture.

The New York Times - Tech

The details of the DEM-based methodology are presented first and the approach is demonstrated on a pair of test problems involving laser sintering of metal powders.

Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering

The method is first demonstrated to produce optimal anisotropic meshes minimizing the L2 projection error for a pair of canonical problems containing a singularity and a singular perturbation.

Journal of Computational Physics

Of course, what was in the name Corey turned out to be a pair of drug problems, bankruptcy (for Mr. Haim), ever smaller roles and enshrinement in the has-been hall of fame.

The New York Times - Arts

But a pair of embarrassing problems last week revived concerns about the reliability of the plane, the first commercial aircraft to make extensive use of lightweight carbon composites that promise big fuel savings for airlines.

The New York Times

We analyze the numerical behavior of these limiters applied to a pair of model problems, comparing the error of the approximate solutions, and discuss each limiter's advantages and disadvantages.

Journal of Computational Physics

It all started after The New York Post published a photograph over the weekend showing a man slumbering underneath a row of seats on a No. 3 subway train, an image that perfectly conflated a pair of city problems — homelessness and the subways — that have provoked bitter and prolonged blame games between Mr. Cuomo and Mr. de Blasio.

The New York Times

SEP (3 -(4) constitutes a pair of equilibrium problems which have to be solved so that the image y∗=A x∗, under a given bounded linear operator A, of the solution x∗ of EP (3) in H1 is the solution of another EP (4) in another space H2, and we denote the solution set of EP (4) by EP (F2).

Mathematical Sciences

The inequalities (1.2) and (1.3) constitute a pair of equilibrium problems which have to find the image (hat{y}=Ahat{x}), under a given bounded linear operator A, of the solution x̂ of (1.2) in (H_{1}) is the solution of (1.3) in (H_{2}).

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a pair of problems" when you want to emphasize that there are exactly two distinct issues, especially if they are related or being considered together.

Common error

Avoid using "a pair of problems" if the issues are actually interconnected aspects of a single, larger problem. In such cases, consider using terms like "complex issue" or "multifaceted challenge" for greater accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of problems" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a pair of problems" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote two specific issues or challenges. As Ludwig AI's analysis indicates, it appears commonly in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that you are referring to two distinct issues rather than interconnected aspects of a single problem. Consider alternatives like "two issues" or "dual difficulties" for slight variations in emphasis. "A pair of problems" is a versatile phrase appropriate for a range of writing styles and registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two issues

Specifies the number of problems more directly.

a couple of challenges

Emphasizes the difficulty aspect of the problems.

dual difficulties

Highlights the paired nature and the challenging aspect.

a combination of issues

Focuses on the fact that the problems may be related or compounding each other.

multiple setbacks

Suggests that the problems are hindering progress.

several concerns

Implies a sense of worry or unease about the problems.

complex matters

Highlights the intricacy and involved nature of the problems.

knotty questions

Uses a more metaphorical approach, suggesting that the problems are difficult to untangle.

twin troubles

Emphasizes that there are two troubles.

difficult situation

Broader and less specific; refers to an overall problematic state.

FAQs

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

You can use "a pair of problems" to describe two specific issues needing resolution, as in "The project encountered "a pair of problems": lack of funding and insufficient personnel."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "two issues", "a couple of challenges", or "dual difficulties" instead of "a pair of problems".

Is it more formal to say "a pair of problems" or "two problems"?

"A pair of problems" and "two problems" are generally interchangeable in most contexts. However, "a pair of problems" might sound slightly more descriptive or literary, while "two problems" is more direct and neutral.

What is the difference between "a pair of problems" and "a series of problems"?

"A pair of problems" refers specifically to two distinct issues, while "a series of problems" indicates multiple issues, more than just two, often unfolding sequentially or connected in some way.