a pair of work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pair of work" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is typically used incorrectly as "pair" refers to two items, while "work" is an uncountable noun in this context. Example: "I have a pair of work shoes that I wear every day."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Back in the bedroom, Mr. Holloway testified, he pulled on a pair of work gloves and opened the closet.

The New York Times

Roofers who install tiles on houses may appreciate a pair of work shoes patented by James Mills.

The New York Times

He described himself as having "slapped on a pair of work boots" and growing up in housing projects.

The New York Times

The department said only one company, Canterbury Clothing in North Quincy, Mass., makes this kind of trouser, which is why a pair of work pants cost so much.

The New York Times

The outfit: my pajamas, covered by a pair of work pants I got for 25 cents at a tag sale 19 years ago, and vinyl surgical gloves.

The New York Times

A pair of Docs, a pair of work jeans, white shirt, braces if you'd got 'em, shaved head and that was the job done.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

In a pair of working papers, Princeton economists Alan Krueger and Alexandre Mas seek answers.

Princeton University

A good night for a pair of working stiffs from Yugoslavia.

The New York Times - Sports

So Percussion offered a pair of works that shared a fascination with the noises produced by found objects, including paper.

The New York Times - Arts

They play a pair of working stiffs who stumble onto a kidnapping plot and have to save the day.

The New York Times - Arts

WALTER DE MARIA A pair of works related to the famous "Broken Kilometer" (on permanent view at the Dia space at 393 West Broadway).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing work, specify whether you are referring to tasks, projects, assignments, or duties to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "work" as a countable noun by pairing it with "a pair of". Instead, use countable nouns such as "tasks", "projects", or "jobs" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of work" functions incorrectly as it attempts to quantify the uncountable noun "work". Instead of correctly using quantifiable and specific instances such as "tasks" or "assignments", it uses the generic term "work", which cannot be directly counted this way. As stated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct in standard English usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

25%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a pair of work" is grammatically incorrect because "work" is generally an uncountable noun. While it's used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources, it's not considered standard English. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not correct. For clarity and correctness, it's best to use alternative phrases like "a set of tasks", "a couple of jobs", or "some work assignments", which provide more specific and accurate descriptions of work-related activities. This will enhance the professionalism and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a set of tasks

Replaces "pair" with "set" and specifies "tasks" to clarify the intent.

a couple of jobs

Substitutes "pair" with "couple" and uses "jobs" to represent distinct work assignments.

some work assignments

Uses "assignments" instead of "work" to indicate specific duties.

several work projects

Emphasizes multiple projects rather than a vague "pair of work".

a few work duties

Replaces "pair" with "few" and specifies "duties" to clarify the nature of the work.

two work-related activities

Clarifies the phrase to mean two activities associated with work.

a collection of work

Describes a group of works

amount of working time

Expresses total time spent on work

quota of work

Describes the allocated or expected workload

piece of work

Refers to single unit of work

FAQs

How can I correctly refer to multiple instances of work?

Instead of using the grammatically incorrect phrase "a pair of work", use terms like "a set of tasks", "a couple of jobs", or "some work assignments" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a pair of work"?

No, the phrase "a pair of work" is not grammatically correct. "Work" is generally an uncountable noun, so it's better to use phrases like "some work assignments" or "a couple of jobs".

What are some alternatives to "a pair of work" that sound more professional?

For a more professional tone, consider using phrases such as "several work projects", "a few work duties", or "two work-related activities".

How does the meaning change when using "a pair of work" versus "a set of tasks"?

While "a pair of work" is grammatically incorrect, the intended meaning is usually similar to "a set of tasks". However, "a set of tasks" is clearer and grammatically correct, indicating specific duties or assignments.