a pair of teeth

USAGE SUMMARY

"a pair of teeth" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to two teeth or to a set of two teeth, often in comparison to a different set of two. For example, you could say "The rabbit has a pair of sharp teeth, while the guinea pig has a pair of flat teeth."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A pair of teeth sharper than a scalpel cut into the flesh.

The New Yorker

When Hudd's bedizened Sarah the Cook announces she's approaching 39, someone asks: "Yes, but from which direction?" When she requests an aperitif, her idle son brings her a pair of teeth.

The Guardian

In the condition of a pair of teeth are meshed, the maximum bending stress on the dangerous section is calculated based on the full load acting on the top of tooth.

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

The bones were placed on a silver plate, and the following day there was a great controversy in the press: the newspaper La Prensa announced that Joaquín V. González and Riccheri had stolen a pair of teeth.

Wikipedia

Figure 3 shows the radiographs of a pair of teeth entered into the trial.

BMC Oral Health

In the traditional classifications [ 29, 33], species of series Amplitubae and Oliganthae have beaked corollas with a pair of teeth at the margin of the galea.

BMC Plant Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

When paleontologist Maria Zammit of the University of Adelaide in Australia and her colleague Benjamin Kear of Uppsala University in Sweden examined the remains of the ichthyosaur (Platypterygius australis), which was discovered in Marree, South Australia, they found a pair of tooth marks on the animal's lower jaw.

Science Magazine

For the first few years of life it is possible to calculate the age of sheep from their front teeth, as a pair of milk teeth is replaced by larger adult teeth each year, the full set of eight adult front teeth being complete at about four years of age.

Wikipedia

No present-day turtles have teeth; rather, the upper and lower jaws bear keratinous sheaths that fit onto the skull like a pair of false teeth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After dinner, in order to enliven the party, Lady Astor dons a Victorian hat and a pair of false teeth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The cellmate had a pair of false teeth that, on one occasion, she placed on the windowsill.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing dental features or conditions, clarify the specific location or type of "a pair of teeth" being referenced (e.g., "a pair of front teeth", "a pair of impacted teeth").

Common error

Avoid using "a pair of teeth" when referring to a general condition affecting multiple teeth. Instead, use "teeth" or specify the number affected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of teeth" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a specific set of two teeth, often highlighted for their distinct characteristics or condition, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

27%

Science

45%

Wiki

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a pair of teeth" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe two specific teeth. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's most frequently found in scientific, news, and wiki contexts. While "a pair of teeth" is correct, it's essential to consider alternative phrasings like "two teeth" for less formal situations or to specify the type or location of the teeth for clarity. When writing, remember that the word "pair" is adequate when you need to talk about "teeth".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two teeth

Replaces "a pair" with the explicit number "two", offering a more direct specification of quantity.

a couple of teeth

Uses "a couple" instead of "a pair", providing a slightly less formal alternative.

matching teeth

Emphasizes that the teeth belong together or are related.

set of teeth

Focuses on teeth as a functional unit or collection.

dental pair

Replaces "teeth" with the more formal "dental", suitable in specific contexts.

two front teeth

Specifies the location of the teeth, making the phrase more specific.

matching set of teeth

Mixes the concept of being matching with the set of teeth.

two aligned teeth

Specifies the allignment of the teeth.

twin teeth

Uses the word twin to describe 2 elements.

double teeth

Uses the adjective double to describe 2 elements.

FAQs

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

You can use "a pair of teeth" to describe a specific set of two teeth, such as "The archaeologist found "a pair of teeth" belonging to an ancient hominid".

What's a less formal way to say "a pair of teeth"?

A less formal alternative to "a pair of teeth" could be "two teeth", which is a more direct and common way to express the same idea.

Which is correct: "a pair of teeth" or "a set of teeth"?

Both "a pair of teeth" and "a set of teeth" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "A pair of teeth" emphasizes the two teeth as a unit, while "a set of teeth" implies a more comprehensive collection.

Is there a difference between "a pair of teeth" and "false teeth"?

Yes, "a pair of teeth" refers to two natural teeth, while "false teeth" are artificial replacements for missing teeth, often as dentures.