a pair of things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pair of things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two items that are considered together or are similar in nature. Example: "I bought a pair of shoes that match my outfit perfectly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I wish I had never worn… a pair of things called Polyveldts, in the 1970s.

Independent

But deeming a pair of things "shoes" while combining the word with 'buying clothes' ("buying clothes and shoes") is still deeming them shoes.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

So go buy a pair of these things and help Chuck at the same time.

Vice

Tell me, though, how much would you like to clip a pair of these things onto Pete Wells's testicles?

Huffington Post

A hollow-eyed, delusional hustler always looking for the main chance, Lou is introduced doing a pair of typical things: breaking the law and trying to talk his way out of it with practiced glibness.

Los Angeles Times

Back in the 1980s he was pushing vert possibilities with a pair of skateboard/rollerskate things he'd built and called 'quads.' They were two mini skateboards bound to each foot using bits from a kid's snowboard, and Holger used them to land two-meter McTwists.

Vice

Wide denim trousers resembled old world gray flannels, while a pair of the real things, shown with a sailor's sweater buttoned at the shoulder -- and on a model who looked as if he had spent all day on his back listening to Moby -- made a different antifashion statement.

The New York Times - Style

And yet that's just what One Direction aims for on this album, importing Mr. Sheeran to collaborate on a pair of songs, "Little Things" and "Over Again," that are miles apart from the Tinkertoys songwriting on the rest of the album, and which show that the young men of One Direction aren't quite ready for a new blueprint.

The New York Times - Arts

I've even become a pro at jazzing up a pair of sweatpants (good thing they are totally on trend).

Huffington Post

But disputes between Islamists and secularists, worsened by economic stagnation, social unrest and sporadic violence that included a pair of assassinations last year, sent things askew.

The Economist

A watch, an altimeter, a pen knife, a pair of goggles, among other things.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a pair of things", ensure that the context makes it clear that you are referring to two distinct items considered together. If the items are not naturally associated, consider specifying why they are being grouped.

Common error

Avoid using "a pair of things" when you're actually referring to a single, unified object or concept. This phrase specifically denotes two separate entities, so misusing it can cause confusion and grammatical errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of things" primarily functions as a determiner phrase, specifying a quantity of two for unspecified items. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English writing. The Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its role in introducing objects or items within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pair of things" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote two unspecified items that are being considered together. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for general usage, although specificity is often preferred in formal contexts. Its prevalence is particularly high in news and media, offering a versatile option for referencing multiple objects without detailed identification. When using this phrase, be sure that context makes your intention clear and unambiguous.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two items

Replaces the more descriptive "pair of things" with a simple numerical descriptor.

a couple of items

Substitutes "pair" with "couple", maintaining the sense of twoness but with slightly more informal tone.

a set of objects

Replaces "things" with the more specific "objects", and "pair" is substituted with set, implies more structured connection.

two pieces

Uses "pieces" as a general term for items, suitable when the "things" are components of something larger.

a brace of items

Replaces "pair" with "brace", which is more old-fashioned and formal way to say a pair. The word "things" is substituted with "items"

a duo of items

Uses "duo" to emphasize the twoness, often implying a partnership or connection.

several objects

While it does not specify the quantity it shares a generality of things

a few items

Similar to "several objects", it lacks quantity specification of a pair.

some objects

Expresses the idea of multiple objects without specifying a number.

assorted items

Implies a collection of diverse things, losing the paired aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "a pair of things" to refer to two items considered as a unit or collection. For example, "I found "a pair of gloves" in the lost and found" or "He noticed "a pair of shoes" outside the door".

What are some alternatives to using "a pair of things"?

Alternatives include "two items", "a couple of things", or specifying the items directly, such as "two books" or "a couple of shoes".

When is it appropriate to use "a pair of things"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that there are two items that are related or being considered together, without necessarily specifying what those items are. If the context is clear, this can be a useful shorthand.

Is "a pair of things" formal or informal?

"A pair of things" is generally considered neutral to informal. In formal writing, it's often better to be more specific and name the items directly (e.g., "two reports" instead of "a pair of things").