duo

USAGE SUMMARY

"duo" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that means two people performing together, usually in a music or dance performance. Example: "The two sisters make a great duo on stage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yosemite duo complete world's toughest climb Climbing El Capitan – in pictures.

The Guardian

I've seen them live on several occasions and their reception is always energetic to say the least.A brilliant album, by a brilliant duo, with a brilliant future".

The Guardian - Music

Click here to watch In between picking up all of the awards, the French duo and super producer (and his huge hat) were performing one of the most anticipated collaborations of the night.

The Guardian - Music

Jacobs had retained a fascination with the duo ever since seeing the video to U.G.L.Y and wondering who these two sparky girls were, having so much fun while sounding completely out of step with the musical trends of the time.

The Guardian - Music

The announcement of the Nobel prize in chemistry follows on Wednesday, with a China-US duo – Ching Tang and Steven van Slyke – cited as potential winners for the invention of the organic light-emitting diode, used in a range of gadgets including mobile phones.

The Guardian

The duo were forced to suspend their set three times, pleading with the crowd to simmer down.

The Guardian - Music

Given that the duo have known each other since the 70s when Crowell was the guitarist in Harris's Hot Band, what took them so long to get into a studio together?

The Guardian - Music

The duo have made videos for most of the nine songs, featuring shots of Harvey crooning and Skinner brooding.

The Guardian - Music

In The Stooge (1952), about a comedy duo, Bergen was Martin's long-suffering wife.

The Guardian - Film

Elphick believes such team spirit stems not only from the experienced heads within the squad, such as the former Southampton duo Andrew Surman and Kenwyne Jones, but also from knowing where the club has come from.

The Guardian - Sport

The mother-and-daughter duo tottered back onto the cobbles like a pair of evil twins, with sarcasm and surliness dripping from every one of their pretty little pores.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "duo", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific nature of the partnership or group being referenced, whether it's in music, sports, or another field.

Common error

Avoid using "duo" when referring to groups larger than two; instead, opt for terms like "group", "team", or "ensemble" to accurately reflect the number of participants.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "duo" is as a noun, referring to a pair of people, often in a collaborative or performing context. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing musical groups, sports partnerships, and other joint ventures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Music

25%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "duo" is a versatile noun referring to a pair of individuals collaborating or performing together, commonly in music, sports, or other fields. Ludwig examples reveal its frequent use in news and media, highlighting partnerships and collaborative efforts. With a neutral register and a grammatically correct status, "duo" is a reliable term for describing pairs in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate and frequent usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pair

A more general term for two things or people considered together.

twosome

Informal term specifically referring to two people together, often romantically.

couple

Typically implies a romantic or close relationship between two individuals.

double act

Suggests two people performing together, often in comedy or entertainment.

partnership

Implies a formal or business arrangement between two parties.

brace

A term for two of a kind, often used for animals or birds.

dyad

A formal term for a group of two, often used in social sciences.

tandem

Refers to two things arranged one behind the other or working together.

matched set

Two items specifically designed to be used together.

duet

Specifically used when referring to two musicians or singers performing together.

FAQs

How is "duo" used in a sentence?

The word "duo" refers to a pair of people working together, often in music or performance. For example, "The musical "duo" released a new album".

What are some alternatives to the word "duo"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "pair", "twosome", or "couple" to describe two people working together.

Is it appropriate to use "duo" for non-human entities?

While "duo" primarily refers to people, it can sometimes be used for non-human entities if they function as a pair. However, ensure the usage is clear and makes sense in the context.

What is the difference between "duo" and "duet"?

"Duo" generally refers to any pair of people, while "duet" specifically refers to a musical composition or performance by two people. Therefore, all duets are performed by a "duo", but not all duos perform duets.