a pair of short

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pair of short" is not correct in written English as it is incomplete and lacks a noun to specify what is short.
You can use it when referring to a pair of items that are short, but it needs to be followed by a noun, such as "shorts" or "pants." Example: "I bought a pair of short shorts for the summer."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He dropped in a pair of short jumpers.

The New York Times - Sports

Scheduled for June 9 and 10, their next presentation is a pair of short plays.

The New York Times

Each of the three thoracic segments bears a pair of short segmented legs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Women wear ankle-length wraparound skirts, men a pair of short, tight pants and a thin calico shirt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They have an elongated body consisting of 14 to 44 trunk segments, each having a pair of short legs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The culmination of a month and a half's work is a pair of short film on Oxytocin that will premiere on Saturday 20 October at the Bloomsbury Festival.

The Guardian

A pair of short shorts ($129) looked as if they could be worn only by Christopher Robin, but they actually fit beautifully, too.

The New York Times

On a pair of short, raucous albums, "That's Not What I Heard" and "Movement," this Arkansas-raised garage-punk trio made a furious and sometimes thrilling racket.

The New York Times

All one needs to have is a 27 inch waist and a pair of short fat thighs like a West African Mandrill's.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Chicago, which managed a pair of short-handed scores, also ended a four-game skid against Anaheim, which included two losses this season.

The New York Times - Sports

My wife and I have used a pair of short-distance radios, Motorola TalkAbouts, for two years ("With Family Radios, the Walkie-Talkie Comes of Age," April 6).

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always follow "a pair of short" with a noun to clarify what you are referring to. For example, "a pair of short socks" or "a pair of short stories".

Common error

Avoid using "a pair of short" without specifying what is short. This can lead to ambiguity and grammatical incorrectness. Always complete the phrase with the appropriate noun.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of short" functions as a modifier requiring a noun to describe. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically incomplete without a noun, needing context for proper interpretation. Examples include "a pair of short films" or "a pair of short runs."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a pair of short" is frequently used across various contexts, Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically incomplete without a clarifying noun. It functions to describe two items sharing the characteristic of shortness and is used in neutral registers. To avoid ambiguity, always specify what you're referring to, such as "a pair of short films" or "a pair of short stories". Remember that authoritative sources like The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica frequently employ this construction when followed by a noun.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of short

Replaces "pair" with "couple", indicating two items that are short.

a few short

Replaces "pair" with "few", suggesting more than two short items.

two short

Specifies the quantity as "two", omitting "pair of".

some short

Uses "some" to indicate an unspecified quantity of short items.

a selection of short

Emphasizes a choice or variety of short items.

a set of short

Indicates a collection of short items forming a set.

several short

Implies more than a few, but a limited number of short items.

a limited number of short

Highlights that the quantity of short items is restricted.

a handful of short

Suggests a small quantity that can be held in one hand.

a limited collection of short

Highlights that the quantity and variety of short items is restricted.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "a pair of short" in a sentence?

Always follow "a pair of short" with a noun to clarify what you're referring to. For example, "a pair of short jeans" or "a pair of short films" are grammatically correct.

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

Depending on the context, you could use "a couple of short" or "a few short" followed by the noun you're describing.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a pair of short" without a noun?

No, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. The phrase needs a noun to specify what is being described as short.

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

"A pair of short shorts" refers to very short pants, while "a pair of short pants" is a more general term for pants that are shorter than usual. The distinction lies in the degree of shortness.