in pair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in pair" is not correct in standard written English; the correct form is "in pairs." You can use "in pairs" when referring to two items or individuals that are grouped together or working together.
Example: "The students were asked to work in pairs to complete the assignment."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Overtricks can be so important in pair events.

The New York Times

They are regular winners of major team events but seldom play together in pair contests.

The New York Times - Arts

In pair events, where overtricks can be so valuable, always assess your contract.

The New York Times

In pair annihilation, an electron-positron pair disappears, and two high-energy photons are created.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In pair competitions you and your partner compete against the other pairs in your direction, North-South or East-West.

The New York Times

Winning back-to-back titles in team play is common, but it is rare in pair competition.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

In our model, the timing mechanism is localized to the PC-IN pair. Figure 2B summarizes the key concepts of signal processing in a PC-IN pair.

Plosone

Shoes: Wearing hiking boots or a suitable pair of broken-in pair shoes.

WikiHow

With greater risk of female infidelity, men may perform additional anti-cuckoldry tactics such as frequent in-pair copulations (IPC).

Personality and Individual Differences

In pair-wise alignment, the sequences among the same species had high homology of over 90%.

Veterinary Parasitology

Relatively little is known about serotonergic involvement in pair-bonding despite its putative role in regulating social behavior.

Hormones and Behavior

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the phrase "in pairs" instead of "in pair" for grammatical correctness. Remember that 'pair' refers to a set of two, so the plural form is necessary when indicating multiple instances of such groupings.

Common error

Avoid using "in pair" when you mean "in pairs". The singular form suggests a single set of two, which is rarely the intended meaning when discussing grouped activities or arrangements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in pair" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically intended to modify a verb or noun by indicating arrangement or grouping. However, Ludwig AI points out that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "in pairs."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in pair" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "in pairs". While Ludwig examples show its occasional appearance across various sources, including science and news, its use is infrequent and flagged as incorrect by Ludwig AI. When referring to items or individuals grouped in sets of two, always use "in pairs". Alternatives such as "in twos" or "as a duo" can also be used depending on the context. Ensuring correct grammar enhances clarity and credibility in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in pairs

Corrects the grammatical error by using the plural form, indicating groups of two.

in twos

Specifies the grouping size as two, offering a more explicit alternative.

as a duo

Emphasizes the partnership and collaborative aspect of working in a pair.

two by two

Suggests a sequential or orderly arrangement in pairs.

in duplicate

Implies making or having two identical copies or versions.

as a twosome

Highlights the social aspect of being in a pair, often used in recreational contexts.

in tandem

Suggests working together closely and simultaneously, like a tandem bicycle.

side by side

Emphasizes the proximity and collaboration of two entities.

coupled together

Highlights the action of joining or linking two things.

in association

Suggests a formal or structured partnership between two entities.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "in pair"?

The correct phrase is "in pairs". The term "pair" refers to a set of two, so it requires the plural form when referring to multiple sets.

Is "in pair" grammatically correct?

No, "in pair" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "in pairs". Using the singular form is a common mistake, but it's essential to use the plural form to denote multiple sets of two.

When should I use "in pairs"?

Use "in pairs" when you want to indicate that things or people are arranged or working together in groups of two. For example, "The students worked in pairs on the project."

What are some alternatives to saying "in pair"?

Instead of "in pair", you can use phrases like "in twos", "as a duo", or simply rearrange the sentence to avoid the phrase altogether. Always remember that the grammatically correct option is "in pairs".