a pair of sweat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pair of sweat" is not correct in written English.
It should be "a pair of sweats" when referring to sweatpants or similar clothing items. Example: "I bought a new pair of sweats for lounging around the house."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Mr. Halevy stands, wearing a pair of sweat pants.

The New York Times

AVENTURA, Fla .— One day during his sophomore season at the University of South Florida, Carlton Mitchell pulled on a pair of sweat pants that had once belonged to the boxer Antonio Tarver, a family friend.

The New York Times - Sports

I had a brief relationship with a soft tan Balenciaga corduroy blazer ($1,395), doomed when I noticed a pair of sweat pants from the same line with waist-ties that looked like corkscrew plastic telephone cord for $495.

The New York Times

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress, who spent nearly two years in prison after accidentally shooting himself in the right thigh through a pair of sweat pants while at a trendy New York nightclub, was set to host a rooftop party at, you guessed it, a trendy New York nightclub introducing his new men's luxury hosiery line.

The New York Times - Sports

Marisa L. Senigo, an assistant commissioner at OATH, was unable to return to her apartment or her office, both in Lower Manhattan, for weeks, so she removed some hanging folders from a file cabinet in her temporary office and stuffed in some work clothes, plus a pair of sweat pants, just in case.

The New York Times

In all of the killings, the women were strangled, apparently with whatever the killer had found at hand: two with their own sneaker laces, one with the drawstring from a pair of sweat pants, two with electrical cord and one with a piece of cloth, the police said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Serena outfitted her grandmother in a pair of sweats, and loaned her a pair of sneakers, a gift from Manuel.

The New Yorker

Outdoor Voices sells various products in a single package that they call an 'OV Kit.' One of the kits, for example, includes a pair of sweats, a pair of leggings, a cross-back bra, and a hoodie, all thrown into a 'Doing Things' Baggu tote.

TechCrunch

I found her in a pair of sweats that I didn't recognize.

Huffington Post

Or pitch your own tent in a pair of sweats and lie down in front of the webcam.

Vice

So, following the orders of the "higher power," I put on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt, walked into my office and let my spirit do the typing (just like the authors of the bible, right?).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to casual athletic or lounge wear, use the terms "sweatpants" or "sweats" instead of "sweat" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "sweat" as a noun to describe clothing. "Sweat" refers to perspiration. The correct terms are "sweatpants" or the informal "sweats".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of sweat" functions as a noun phrase, intended to denote a type of clothing. However, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this, suggesting the correct forms are "a pair of sweats" or "a pair of sweatpants".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a pair of sweat" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct way to refer to the article of clothing is "a pair of sweatpants" or, more informally, "a pair of sweats". While examples exist where the incorrect phrase is used, especially in informal writing, adhering to proper grammar is crucial for clear communication. Therefore, replace "a pair of sweat" with either "a pair of sweatpants" or "a pair of sweats" to ensure grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pair of sweatpants

Replaces "sweat" with the grammatically correct and commonly used "sweatpants".

a pair of sweats

Uses the shortened, more colloquial term "sweats" which is grammatically acceptable.

a set of jogging bottoms

Uses British English terminology for athletic pants.

track pants

Uses a different name for the garment, implying sportswear.

some comfy pants

Shifts the focus to comfort and uses a more general term for pants.

a pair of athletic trousers

Replaces "sweat" with a more formal term for athletic pants.

warm-up pants

Suggests pants worn before or after exercise to keep warm.

exercise pants

Focuses on the utility of the pants for exercise activities.

some lounge pants

Emphasizes the relaxation aspect, implying pants worn for lounging.

casual trousers

Broadens the scope to include any casual pair of pants, not necessarily athletic.

FAQs

What is the correct way to refer to sweatpants?

The grammatically correct terms are "sweatpants" or, informally, "sweats". Avoid using "a pair of sweat".

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

Use alternatives like "a pair of sweatpants" or "a pair of sweats". These options are grammatically correct.

Is it correct to say "a sweat" when referring to sweatpants?

No, "a sweat" refers to perspiration. To refer to the garment, use the plural forms "sweatpants" or "sweats".

What is the difference between "a pair of sweatpants" and "a pair of sweats"?

"A pair of sweatpants" is the standard, grammatically correct term. "A pair of sweats" is an informal, shortened version of the same term.