a pair of sons

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pair of sons" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two male children or offspring in a familial context. Example: "After years of trying for a child, they were overjoyed to finally have a pair of sons to raise together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This might sound like an ensemble comedy, but it's more like two two-handers in the same show: a pair of sons and their dads.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A pair of songs by Toscanini — "Neurosi" ("Neurosis") and "Son Gelosa!" ("I Am Jealous!"), both composed in 1885 — proved more charming than memorable, and Gina Cuffari, a soprano (though she is usually the group's bassoonist), sang them with the right balance of gracefulness and passion.

The New York Times - Arts

On "Rise Up!" (Palmetto) he digs in with a regular partner, the guitarist Peter Bernstein, and a pair of New Orleans sons, the alto saxophonist Donald Harrison and the drummer Herlin Riley.

The New York Times - Arts

Days before the Reverend Moon Sun-Myung (right) turned a spry 90 in February, a pair of his sons prominently joined him to inaugurate the new Unification World Headquarters Church in Seoul.

Forbes

A pair of opinionated Sons of Confederate Veterans, who had staged a faux battle camp outside the Mudd House, in Waldorf, Maryland.

Vice

Inside the cairn he put a pair of his son John's hiking shoes.

The New York Times

I think to myself biting my tongue while ironing a pair of my son's pants that he remembered he needed at the last minute and willing myself not to reply.

Huffington Post

The 1940s were productive years for these Rockland County neighbors, but they didn't find another joint project until they read an advance copy of Paton's "Cry, the Beloved Country," a searing account of racial division among a pair of fathers and sons in South Africa.

The New York Times

Sitting a few dozen yards from where Mr. McLaughlin stretched his shark skins, Mr. Sands pointed to a pair of blond teenagers, the sons of a fellow fisherman.

The New York Times

For Carolina Chan, the final clue was even more innocuous - a single button she'd sewn on to a pair of combat trousers her son was wearing.

BBC

James Mason's Avery experiences an alcoholic omnipotence that reaches its horrific peak when, towering over his son, a pair of scissors held aloft, he declares: "God was wrong!" to have spared Abraham from killing his own son in the biblical parable.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a pair of sons", ensure the context benefits from emphasizing the duality or partnership between the sons, rather than simply stating their existence.

Common error

Avoid using "a pair of sons" when referring to a single son. The term 'pair' inherently implies two.

Linguistic Context

'A pair of sons' functions as a noun phrase. It acts as the subject or object within a sentence, referring to two male offspring. Ludwig examples show it used to describe family relationships and historical contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pair of sons" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase used to describe two male offspring. As Ludwig AI clarifies, this phrase is considered correct and can be used in diverse written contents. While “two sons” is a more common alternative, “a pair of sons” emphasizes the duality or partnership between them. While used correctly in a limited number of sources it’s more suitable for news or general discussions. Consider alternatives like "two male children" or "a couple of sons" depending on the specific context and desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two male children

Replaces 'pair' with the explicit number 'two' and substitutes 'sons' with the more general 'male children'.

a couple of sons

Uses 'couple' as a synonym for 'pair', offering a slightly more informal tone.

two boys

Simplifies the language by using the more common term 'boys' instead of 'sons'.

two male heirs

Focuses on the aspect of inheritance, making it suitable in contexts concerning family legacy.

a duo of sons

Substitutes 'pair' with 'duo', which is slightly less common but still conveys the sense of two.

male siblings

Emphasizes the sibling relationship between the two sons.

a brace of sons

Employs the archaic term 'brace' for 'pair', adding a formal or old-fashioned feel.

two offspring

Uses a more general term 'offspring' to refer to the sons, suitable in broader biological contexts.

twin sons

Specific situation where the sons are twins.

male progeny

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of referring to sons.

FAQs

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

You might say, "After years of wishing, they were blessed with "a pair of sons" who brought immense joy to their lives."

What's a more formal alternative to "a pair of sons"?

A more formal option could be "two male heirs" or "male progeny", depending on the specific context you're aiming for.

When should I use "a pair of sons" instead of "two sons"?

Using "a pair of sons" emphasizes the two sons as a unit or entity, while "two sons" is a more neutral statement of quantity. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight their relationship or grouping in some way.

Is there a difference between saying "a pair of sons" and "a couple of sons"?

Not really. Both phrases are generally interchangeable, with "a couple of sons" being slightly more informal.