a pair of us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pair of us" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to two people in a relationship or partnership, emphasizing their connection or shared experience. Example: "In this adventure, it's just a pair of us against the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Other items include a wristwatch, a pair of US size seven mahogany leather loafers, a pair of size 7.5 platform shoes, an elastic waistband, kicking shield, pull-up bar and shin protector.

The Guardian - Film

In 2012, Swartz was one of the guiding lights of the movement against a pair of US laws, SOPA and PIPA, which threatened to damage the legal underpinning of the internet, by potentially blocking access to any site which hosted user generated content.

The Guardian - Tech

The first systematic scientific study of the phenomenon may have been undertaken as recently as 1995, by a pair of US researchers named Thompson and Jefferson.

BBC

A pair of US fighter planes was scrambled to deal with it, but even after identifying that the aircraft was pilotless, could not shoot it down because it was travelling over built-up areas.

BBC

A study of UK web users commissioned by the group, conducted by a pair of US academics, suggested that, even under the new proposals, Google-owned services enjoyed "better placement, richer graphics and better visuals" than competitors.

BBC

Who are you?/ Are you - Nobody - too?/ Then there's a pair of us?" has had 30 or so settings.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Taxify, as a European company battling a pair of US-based mobility startups, may have the upper hand.

TechCrunch

According to the reports, AOL was looking to offload the asset for $300 million and talking to a pair of non-US companies about an acquisition (likely in a part cash, part stock transaction).

TechCrunch

Poulter has been Europe's top-scorer in the last three Ryder Cups with a win ratio of 80% but he and Scottish debutant Gallacher came up against a pair of rising US stars in Spieth and Reed.

BBC

Pair of pants and method for donning and removing a pair of pants: US Patent 8667615 B2. 2. Many of the people responding to her original statement do not seem to have a sense of humor.

Huffington Post

Take some worsted weight yarn, a pair of size US 7 or 8 knitting needles, and cast on 20 stitches; then knit 2 rows of Stockinette stitch (St st).

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a pair of us" when you want to emphasize the two individuals acting as a unit or sharing a common situation. For example: "A pair of us decided to tackle the project together."

Common error

Avoid using "a pair of us" when referring to a group larger than two. This phrase specifically denotes two individuals, so using it for a group would be grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of us" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. It identifies two people as a single unit. For instance, "A pair of us dressed up in maintenance workers' uniforms."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a pair of us" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote two individuals acting together. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides ample real-world examples. While "the two of us" or "both of us" can be used as alternatives, "a pair of us" specifically underscores the duo's shared participation or experience. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and maintains a generally neutral register. Therefore, using "a pair of us" is appropriate in most writing situations where referring to two people as a unit is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the two of us

Direct synonym, focuses on the number of people involved.

both of us

Emphasizes the inclusion of each person in the pair.

us together

Simple and direct, highlighting togetherness.

we two

More poetic or archaic phrasing.

this twosome

Informal and playful.

the aforementioned duo

Formal, referring to a previously mentioned pair.

the team of two

Emphasizes collaboration and shared goals.

the pair in question

More formal, used when referring to a specific pair already under discussion.

we as a couple

Highlights the union and shared identity.

the couple

Implies a romantic relationship, if contextually appropriate.

FAQs

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

You can use "a pair of us" to refer to two people acting together or sharing an experience. For example, "A pair of us went to the movies last night".

What's the difference between "a pair of us" and "both of us"?

While similar, "a pair of us" emphasizes the duo as a unit, whereas "both of us" highlights the inclusion of each individual.

Is it correct to say "a pair of us is" or "a pair of us are"?

The correct form is "a pair of us are" since "pair" implies two people, requiring a plural verb.

What are some alternatives to "a pair of us"?

Alternatives include "the two of us", "both of us", or depending on the context, simply "we".