pair of tries

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pair of tries" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misunderstanding or misphrasing, as "tries" is typically not used in this context. Example: "After a pair of attempts, I finally succeeded in solving the puzzle."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Akuila Uate answered with a pair of tries and Kane Snowden a four-pointer of his own, but it was too little too late for the Knights.

The Guardian - Sport

Dan Moor scored a pair of tries while Phil Mackenzie, Nick Blevins and Alistair Clark also scored tries in front of a crowd of 1,123 at Westhills Stadium in Langford, British Columbia.

The Guardian - Sport

When he scored a pair of tries in their most recent meeting against New Zealand, the All Blacks' coach Steve Hansen, said it was "bloody boring", the most backhanded of compliments.

The Guardian - Sport

It was the Scarratt show in the first half, as she scored a pair of tries, but Natasha Brennan was the story of the second period – making a dream start to her senior England debut by scoring with her first touch of the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Hull responded through the departing England winger Briscoe, whose pair of tries took his career tally to 100.

BBC

But a pair of tries from Jackson and McComish, either side of another penalty from British and Irish Lions star Halfpenny, left the score at 13-10 on the half hour mark.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"What started out as a comedic Atheist church wants to turn itself into some sort of centralized humanist religion, with Sanderson Jones and Pippa Evans at the helm," Lee Moore, one of the Assembly's apostates, wrote in a blog post that also accused the pair of "trying to get rich from their new-age religion".

Vice

Once again we are introduced to a pair of children trying to cope with the disappearance of one of their parents.

The New York Times - Books

It puts you through the wringer with its tale of a pair of brothers trying to save their father's life.

The Guardian - Tech

But what caused the most controversy at the time was the decision to illustrate the leader with an awkward-looking pair of camels trying to mate (see above).

The Economist

Bit of a restive week at the global box office, with recent blockbusters hogging the top of the list and, below them, a pair of outsiders trying to make the most of the pre-Star Wars lull.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "pair of tries" appears in some sports reporting, it's advisable to verify if it's standard usage in the specific sport you're writing about. If unsure, opt for a more common phrasing like "two tries" or "scoring twice".

Common error

Avoid using "tries" as a direct plural noun for scoring instances outside of specific rugby contexts. Ensure the sport's terminology aligns with your phrasing to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pair of tries" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a specific quantity (two) of successful attempts to score, typically in the context of rugby. While Ludwig identifies it as potentially incorrect, its function remains to denote these scoring instances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pair of tries" refers to two successful scoring attempts, primarily used within the context of rugby. While it appears in journalistic sources, Ludwig indicates it is not standard written English and suggests alternatives like ""couple of tries"" or "scoring twice". Its usage is infrequent but concentrated in sports reporting. Therefore, while understandable, writers should consider more common or sport-specific terminology for clarity and correctness. The phrase's function is descriptive, aiming to inform about a player's performance, and its register is generally neutral.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of tries

Synonymous, but uses the more common "couple" instead of "pair".

scoring twice

Highlights the act of scoring on two occasions.

two scoring plays

Focuses on plays that resulted in scores; more general than just "tries".

two successful attempts

Emphasizes success rather than the scoring event itself; broadens the context beyond sports.

two instances of scoring

Formal rephrasing of scoring twice.

double score

Highlights the act of scoring twice; less specific to a particular sport.

two successful efforts

Generalizes to any kind of effort, not just sports related.

second try

Highlights the fact that is the second time to try something.

brace of goals

Commonly used in soccer/football; replaces "tries" with "goals".

two touchdowns

Specifically for American football; replaces "tries" with a sport-specific term.

FAQs

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

While "pair of tries" is used, it may be better to say "He scored a "couple of tries"". Consider saying "He scored twice" for broader sports contexts.

What's a better alternative to "pair of tries"?

Alternatives include "scoring twice", "two tries", or, depending on the sport, sport specific term such as "two touchdowns" (American football) or "brace of goals" (soccer/football).

Is "pair of tries" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "pair of tries" is not considered correct in standard written English. It is suggested to use alternatives such as ""couple of tries"" or "set of attempts".

In which sports is "pair of tries" commonly used?

The phrase "pair of tries" is primarily found in the context of rugby, where a 'try' is a specific type of scoring play. Its use might be less common or inappropriate in other sports.