only us two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only us two" is not standard in written English; it would be more correct to say "only the two of us." You can use it in informal contexts when referring to a situation involving just two people.
Example: "It will be only us two at the movie tonight."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We stopped talking altogether — only us two, in our bedroom upstairs".

The New Yorker

He said, 'Doc, when you see me wave to the gallery, only us two will know the truth: instead of waving I'm imagining that I'm holding the Claret Jug.' I don't like my guys to look ahead but this was different.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"By now it only takes us two weeks," Dr. Belcher said.

The New York Times - Tech

Resumes can only tell us two things: the "what" and the "where" of an applicant.

Huffington Post

We had $15,000 left, and that would only rent us two RED cameras for 10 days.

Huffington Post

"Many people suffered, not only us," said one of the miners, Franklin Lobos.

The New York Times

"The wanted tropicals and they only gave us three days.

The New Yorker

"It only took us eighteen days!" "Hello, this is our Egyptian revolution".

The New Yorker

"A hundred?" "It'll only win us sixty or seventy in profit, max, if we bet a hundred.

The Guardian - Books

Only took us three hours!

Huffington Post

They only gave us three stars, but you can't wow everybody.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "just the two of us" or "only the two of us" for better grammatical correctness. It is acceptable to use "only us two" in informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "only us two" in formal writing; it's considered grammatically incorrect. Instead, opt for "only the two of us" or "just the two of us", which use the correct pronouns in the proper form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only us two" functions as a determiner phrase specifying a limited group. As noted by Ludwig, it is a non-standard phrasing, often replaced by more grammatical alternatives. The examples highlight its use in informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "only us two" is understandable and occasionally used, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect and more informal. As Ludwig AI points out, "just the two of us" or "only the two of us" are often better choices for formal writing. It serves to highlight the exclusive nature of an activity or secret to only two individuals. Use it with caution in professional or academic contexts. The phrase appears mostly in news media, with some instances in scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just the two of us

More grammatically standard way to express the same idea.

only the two of us

Adds a slight emphasis on the exclusivity.

just you and me

Uses more common and direct pronouns.

only you and I

Uses more formal pronouns.

merely us two

Replaces "only" with "merely", which might imply a smaller impact.

simply us two

Replaces "only" with "simply", suggesting ease or lack of complication.

exclusively us two

Emphasizes the exclusivity of the group.

solely us two

Replaces "only" with "solely", stressing that there are no others involved.

precisely us two

Highlights that it's exactly and specifically those two.

none but us two

An archaic way of expressing the same meaning.

FAQs

Is "only us two" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "only us two" is not considered grammatically correct in formal English. "Only the two of us" or "just the two of us" are better options.

What's the difference between "only us two" and "only the two of us"?

"Only us two" is informal and arguably grammatically incorrect. "Only the two of us" is the grammatically correct version.

When is it appropriate to use "only us two"?

You can use "only us two" in casual conversations or informal writing, but it's best to avoid it in formal settings.

What are some alternatives to "only us two"?

Alternatives include "just the two of us", "only the two of us", or "just you and me".