a pair of schools

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pair of schools" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two schools, often in the context of comparison, collaboration, or a specific relationship between them. Example: "The partnership between a pair of schools has led to innovative educational programs that benefit both communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Newport-Mesa Unified School District maintenance workers were painting over graffiti — some of it reported to be racist in nature — at a pair of schools Monday morning.

Los Angeles Times

But here we've not only got a pair of schools just down the road from one another (or so we assume we have no idea how big the state of Kentucky is), we have in Rick Pitino a coach who built up one program (Kentucky) into "the Roman Empire of college basketball" (his own ever-humble words) only to have to face the monster he created.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I was afraid as a kid facing down a pair of school bullies.

Huffington Post

Flintridge Prep in Pasadena Games: The Rebels recorded some impressive times, including setting a pair of school records, in Saturday's meet.

Los Angeles Times

1. - A pair of school officials in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, were forced to resign after the local school board discovered text messages they two exchanged that were of a racist and sexist nature.

Vice

Then, in 1974, a pair of circus schools opened in Paris, the first in Western European history.

The New York Times

There are a pair of Islamic schools there, four Arab language cable television stations and a gleaming mosque with a gold-tinted roof on Palestine Street.

The New York Times

A year after her election, she visited a pair of adjoining schools in Tower Hamlets, one with predominantly white pupils, the other Asian.

The Guardian

The engineers overseeing the project explained that, after two years, their team had nearly completed a covered market, a pier and a jetty for a handful of fishing boats, and a pair of vocational schools.

The New Yorker

Though he became one of the most successful British writers of his generation, Mr. Bolt, who was born near Manchester in 1924, began his working life as a teacher in a pair of country schools.

The New York Times

His most recent additions include a pair of "hometown" schools, Georgia Tech and UCLA, in the last two weeks.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a pair of schools", ensure the context clearly indicates which specific schools are being referred to, especially if they haven't been explicitly mentioned before. For clarity, you might follow up with the names of the schools.

Common error

Avoid using "a pair of schools" repeatedly in a text without providing more specific information or varying your phrasing. Over-reliance on vague quantifiers can make your writing sound monotonous. Opt for variations like "both schools" or simply naming the schools.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of schools" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a determiner phrase where "a pair" modifies the noun "schools". This phrase identifies a specific quantity of educational institutions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for general use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a pair of schools" is a grammatically correct and generally acceptable way to refer to two schools, as verified by Ludwig. While slightly less direct than "two schools", it adds a subtle nuance of considering the schools as a unit. As Ludwig shows, this phrase is commonly found in news articles and general writing. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying which schools are being referenced. Remember that while "a pair of schools" is suitable for most contexts, academic or very formal writing may benefit from alternatives like "the two institutions".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two schools

Directly states the quantity, which is a simple numerical replacement.

a couple of schools

Uses a more informal term for 'two', maintaining the same meaning.

both schools

Emphasizes that the statement applies to each of the two schools.

the two institutions

More formal phrasing using "institutions" instead of "schools".

these two schools

Adds a sense of immediacy or specific reference.

the aforementioned schools

Refers to two schools previously mentioned.

dual schools

Uses the adjective 'dual' to describe the pair.

a set of schools

Implies a planned or related grouping.

the linked schools

Highlights a connection or partnership between the schools.

associated schools

Suggests a common administration or shared resources.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a pair of schools"?

You can use alternatives like "two schools", "a couple of schools", or "both schools" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a pair of school" instead of "a pair of schools"?

No, the correct phrase is "a pair of schools". The word "schools" should be plural because "pair" refers to two individual schools.

How formal is the phrase "a pair of schools"?

The phrase "a pair of schools" is generally considered neutral in formality. It is suitable for most writing contexts, but alternatives like "the two institutions" might be more appropriate for very formal or academic settings.

When should I use "a pair of schools" vs. "two schools"?

The choice between "a pair of schools" and "two schools" is often a matter of style. "A pair of schools" can add a slight emphasis on the schools being considered as a unit or having a relationship, while "two schools" is more straightforward.