pair of friends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pair of friends" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to two individuals who share a close friendship. Example: "They have been a pair of friends since childhood, always supporting each other through thick and thin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

A pair of friends.

The New Yorker

How the restaurateur and the rock musician became an unlikely pair of friends.

The New Yorker

A pair of friends had joined the race at the Queensboro Bridge.

The New York Times - Sports

In a Wetherspoon's pub Gerry and I meet a pair of friends, both 19.

The Guardian

None of those involved – a student, a pair of friends – were linked to any terrorist organisation.

The Guardian

Along another stretch, a pair of friends sat in a small cave drinking pink champagne with their dog".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Neighbors around that building say a familiar sight during the show's heyday was of pairs of friends asking people to take their photograph in front of the awning at 1049 Park, between 86th and 87th Streets.

The New York Times

Spare, sunny Van Gogh holds two single beds that host pensive pairs of friends and siblings: "Reading this book gives me a sense of the transformations, realizations people achieve here.

The New York Times

They then tested pairs of friends and nonfriends for trust.

Science Magazine

Sixty-two young males recruited as 31 pairs of friends, all aged between 18 and 21 years and holding a probationary drivers licence, were randomly assigned to a training or no-training condition.

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

The second metric studies the influence between pairs of friends by comparing the number of times a user influences one of his friends with the number of times this would happen in a null model.

EPJ Data Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a friendship, consider the specific qualities you want to emphasize. Using "a pair of friends" is appropriate for general descriptions. For more nuanced descriptions, consider alternatives like "bosom buddies" for close childhood friends.

Common error

Be careful when using "a pair of friends" in contexts where a romantic relationship might be inferred. If the relationship is strictly platonic, ensure the surrounding text clarifies this to avoid misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pair of friends" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it denoting a group of two individuals sharing a friendship, acting as a collective unit.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pair of friends" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes two individuals in a friendship. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and wide applicability, reinforcing its common usage across diverse contexts. The phrase is versatile, appearing in news articles, formal documents, and casual conversations. While alternatives like "duo of buddies" or "inseparable two" exist, they often carry different connotations. Ludwig's examples from authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian solidify its place as a standard and reliable expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inseparable two

Highlights the close bond and constant companionship of the two individuals.

bosom buddies

Implies a very close, intimate friendship, often from childhood.

duo of buddies

Replaces "friends" with "buddies" for a more informal tone, and "pair" with "duo".

twosome of pals

Uses "twosome" instead of "pair" and "pals" to give a more casual or playful feel.

amicable pair

Stresses the pleasant and agreeable nature of the relationship between the two.

group of companions

Emphasizes a slightly larger collection of people who are close and travel together.

set of mates

Employs British slang "mates" for "friends", changing the cultural context.

circle of acquaintances

Highlights a more casual social connection than deep friendship.

close associates

Indicates a professional or formal relationship that is also friendly.

friendly couple

Could suggest a romantic relationship rather than just friendship; focuses on two people.

FAQs

How can I use "pair of friends" in a sentence?

You can use "pair of friends" to describe two people who share a close bond. For example, "A "pair of friends" went on a hiking trip together".

What's a more informal way to say "pair of friends"?

Informal alternatives include "duo of buddies", "twosome of pals", or simply "two pals" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "couple of friends" instead of "pair of friends"?

While "couple of friends" is understandable, ""pair of friends"" is more precise and grammatically standard. "Couple" often implies a romantic relationship.

When should I use "group of friends" versus "pair of friends"?

Use "group of friends" when referring to three or more friends. Use ""pair of friends"" specifically when referring to two friends.