a pair of wire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pair of wire" is not correct in standard English; it should be "a pair of wires." You can use it when referring to two individual wires that are being considered together as a unit.
Example: "I need to buy a pair of wires to complete the circuit."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

He took a pair of wire cutters and removed the tracking bracelet from his ankle.

The New Yorker

THE man clips the wire at the ring with a pair of wire cutters and the wire zips away.

The New Yorker

The second man hurled one of the ladders, as well as a pair of wire cutters, over the prison wall, where Mikic was waiting.

The New Yorker

On a warm May afternoon in 1989 a pair of wire cutters sliced through the first link in a rusty, barb-encrusted fence separating Hungary from Austria.

The New York Times - Books

Because of methodological similarities, many firearms analysts also handle tool-mark cases, such as determining whether a pair of wire cutters cut a particular wire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A short time later one of the instructors noticed a pair of wire cutters which were in his tool box in his office when he left that day, were sitting on a text book on his desk.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Perched on his nose were a pair of wire-framed spectacles.

The Guardian

"I never think that way," he says, blinking behind a pair of wire-rimmed glasses.

Independent

Dressed in a dogtooth Altuzarra suit, a pair of wire-framed specs perched on her nose, Welteroth exudes a warm and approachable "big sister" vibe.

The Guardian

He wears a crisp blue shirt, a striped bowtie, and a pair of wire-rimmed glasses on top of his head.

The Guardian

I walked down to the barn the other morning to get a roll of duct tape, and while I was there I needed a pair of wire-strippers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to two separate wires, use the plural form "wires" instead of the singular "wire" for grammatical accuracy. Saying "a pair of wires" is correct.

Common error

Avoid using the singular noun "wire" when referring to a pair. Always use the plural form "wires" to maintain grammatical correctness. Using "a pair of wire" sounds non-native and might confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of wire" primarily functions as a noun phrase. However, it's grammatically incorrect because "wire" should be pluralized to "wires" when referring to two distinct strands. Ludwig AI indicates this as an error.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a pair of wire" is frequently used, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "a pair of wires". Ludwig AI identifies the grammatical error. While it appears across various contexts, including news and media, wiki sources, and even scientific publications, adhering to the grammatically correct form enhances clarity and credibility, especially in formal or professional writing. When you need to specify two strands of wire, consider alternatives such as "two wires" or "a couple of wires". By using the correct plural form, you ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pair of wires

Grammatically correct plural form, referring to two individual wires.

two wires

Directly states the quantity and the object.

a couple of wires

Informal way to express two wires.

some wires

Indicates an unspecified quantity of wires, typically more than one.

wire pair

Describes a pair of wire in more compact naming and adjectival style.

twin wires

Highlights the wires being identical or very similar.

dual wires

Emphasizes that there are two wires serving a combined purpose.

a double wire

Focuses on the concept of two wires forming a single unit.

paired wires

Adjectival form emphasizing that the wires are intentionally paired.

electrical leads

Refers to wires in the context of electrical connections.

FAQs

How to properly use the term "a pair of wire" in a sentence?

While technically incorrect, it's more grammatically sound to say "a pair of wires" when referring to two wires used together. For example: "I need "a pair of wires" to connect the circuit".

What is a more appropriate alternative to "a pair of wire"?

Consider using alternatives such as "two wires", "a couple of wires" or simply "wires", depending on the context.

Which is the correct form: "a pair of wire" or "a pair of wires"?

"A pair of wires" is the grammatically correct form. The noun should be in plural form when referring to a pair.

Is there a situation where "a pair of wire" would be considered acceptable?

While generally incorrect, you may encounter "a pair of wire" in informal contexts. However, it's best to stick to ""a pair of wires"" for clarity and correctness, especially in formal writing.