a pair of two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a pair of two' is not correct in written English.
The correct phrase is 'a pair of two things' or 'two pairs'. For example, "I just bought two pairs of shoes at the store."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The ceremony also attracted the interest of a pair of two rival wedding photographers plying the crowd for clients.

The New York Times

Each employer in our study received applications from either a pair of two male jobseekers or a pair of two female jobseekers.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

The ogee arch consists of a pair of two tangential circular arcs making an arch shape.

HBRC Journal

Due to symmetry the joint is considered as a pair of two identical tubular-lap joints.

Composite Structures

For a pair of two nonnegative integrable functions, we say that satisfies the -condition if.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Next, we introduce the notion of a cyclic contraction for a pair of two binary mappings.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The carnage Friday included eight hits — a pair of two-run homers — three walks and one very frustrated starting pitcher.

The New York Times - Sports

He had little success from any range, making a pair of two-point baskets, four 3s and five foul shots.

The New York Times

Sabathia had another curious performance Sunday, allowing seven runs, including a pair of two-run homers, in seven innings.

The New York Times - Sports

The videos — by nine artists, including a pair of two-member teams, and featuring the creators as performers — are variously funny, dark and poetic.

The New York Times - Arts

One hundred years after a pair of two-bit powers dragged their stronger allies into the First World War, alliance management remains a dangerous diplomatic game.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a pair of two". Instead, use alternatives such as "a pair" or "two". Clarity enhances your writing and prevents grammatical errors.

Common error

The phrase "a pair of two" is redundant; the word 'pair' already implies the quantity two. Remove "of two" to avoid this common mistake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of two" functions as a noun phrase, but is grammatically incorrect due to redundancy. According to Ludwig AI, it should be simplified to "a pair" or rephrased depending on the context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a pair of two" is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to redundancy. As Ludwig AI indicates, the word 'pair' inherently signifies two, making the addition of "of two" unnecessary. While the phrase appears in various contexts, including science and news media, its usage is discouraged in favor of simpler and more accurate alternatives such as "a pair", "two items", or "two elements", especially in formal writing. Avoiding this redundancy will improve clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a set of two

Replaces 'pair' with 'set', emphasizing a collection or group of two.

two items

Uses 'items' for generality, suitable when the specific objects are not important.

two elements

Suitable in technical or formal contexts when referring to components.

a couple

A more concise and common way to refer to two items or individuals.

a duo

Implies a partnership or collaboration between two entities.

a brace of

An archaic term for a pair, often used in hunting contexts.

a dyad

A formal term for a pair, often used in social sciences.

a span of two

Emphasizes the extent or range consisting of two units.

a twosome

Refers to a group of two people, often in a social context.

two individuals

Formal way to denote two people.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "a pair of two"?

The phrase "a pair of two" is redundant. You can simply use "a pair" or, if the context requires emphasis, "two items/elements".

Is "a pair of two" grammatically correct?

No, "a pair of two" is grammatically incorrect. The word "pair" inherently means two, so adding "of two" is redundant and unnecessary. It's best to use just "a pair".

What's a more formal way to say "a pair of two"?

While "a pair of two" isn't recommended, a more formal alternative would depend on the context. Options include "two items" or "two elements", especially in technical or scientific writing.

When is it appropriate to use "a pair" instead of "a pair of two"?

It is always more appropriate to use "a pair" instead of "a pair of two". The term "pair" by definition refers to two items, making "of two" redundant. Avoid redundancy for clear, concise writing.