by pair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by pair" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe two items that are paired together. For example, "The socks were sold by pair."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Additionally, the researchers found that within-pair responsiveness was not affected by pair bond duration.

The Guardian

The interlining process, like the negotiating of international treaties, must go forward pair by pair.

The New York Times - Travel

The proposed direct drive is solved by pair of torque motors.

Procedia Engineering

The scintillation camera measures the positions and energies of Compton-scattered gamma-rays, electrons and positrons by pair creation.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Most morphological operators occur by pair of dual operators as highlighted by the erosion/dilation and opening/closing pairs.

Image and Vision Computing

The subtle point to notice is that the value returned by pair is a function called dispatch, which takes an argument m and returns either x or y.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

In E-I of the current experiment, participants might still use a pair-by-pair shifting strategy for digit retrieval.

Plosone

A key assumption of GCTA is that pair-by-pair genetic similarity is random.

Child Development

For example, a sample of 6,000 individuals provides eight million pair-by-pair comparisons.

Behavior Genetics

T-test was applied to compare pair-by-pair mean age.

BMC Women's Health

The weights, representing the relative importance of criteria, have been assessed by pair-wise comparisons made by group of experts.

European Journal of Operational Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by pair" to indicate that items or actions are considered or performed in sets of two. Ensure that the context clearly supports this pairing.

Common error

Avoid using "by pair" when the situation doesn't specifically involve two items or when a different preposition (e.g., "in pairs") would be more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by pair" functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb or noun to indicate a method or arrangement involving two items. Ludwig indicates that it's grammatically correct. Examples show its use in describing analysis or processes done in twos.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

82%

News & Media

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by pair" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is done or considered in sets of two. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples demonstrate its application primarily in scientific and news contexts. Alternative phrasing includes "in pairs" or "pairwise", but these alternatives have different connotations. When using the expression "by pair", it's important to use it when the context truly involves pairing of two objects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in pairs

This alternative emphasizes the arrangement or grouping of items into sets of two, focusing on the resulting state.

two by two

This alternative evokes a sense of order and procession, often used in a narrative or descriptive context.

in duplicate

This alternative highlights the presence of two identical copies or instances of something.

as a couple

This alternative suggests a close relationship or association between the two items.

in twofold

This alternative indicates a doubling or a composition of two parts.

in dyads

This alternative refers specifically to a group of two individuals or entities.

pairwise

This alternative relates to something involving two members or sets, often for comparisons.

double

This alternative highlights that something is twice the amount or size.

in tandem

This alternative indicates that two things are working together, one behind the other.

in unison

This alternative suggests that two or more things are acting or occurring at the same time.

FAQs

How can I use "by pair" in a sentence?

You can use "by pair" to describe an action or process that involves dealing with things in sets of two. For instance, "The data was analyzed by pair wise comparisons between strains".

What are some alternatives to using "by pair"?

Alternatives include "in pairs", "two by two", or "pairwise", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "by pair" or "in pairs"?

The choice between "by pair" and "in pairs" depends on the context. "By pair" often describes a process or method, while "in pairs" usually refers to an arrangement or grouping.

When is it appropriate to use the term "pairwise" instead of "by pair"?

"Pairwise" is best used in technical or analytical contexts, particularly in science and mathematics, to indicate comparisons or operations done between all possible pairs. For example, statistical tests can be done "pairwise".