paired well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paired well" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe how two items complement each other, often in the context of food and drink or other combinations. Example: "The rich chocolate cake paired well with the robust red wine, creating a delightful dessert experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Food and drink pairings

Relationship between objects or concepts

Compatibility between people

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

My hot dog, I thought, paired well with this quintessential New York scene.

The New Yorker

The Provo Girl Pilsner paired well with crispy ahi spring rolls from the kitchen — to no one's surprise.

The New York Times - Travel

The richer meat paired well with the yuzu-soju cocktail, which tasted like grapefruit marinated in spiked lemonade.

The New Yorker

Riggs went looking for other products that paired well with strawberries – chocolate dips, pie shells and daiquiris.

The Guardian

The richer meat paired well with the yuzu_-soju_ cocktail, which tasted like grapefruit marinated in spiked lemonade.

The New Yorker

Some customers said that Mr. White's fried chicken paired well with Mr. Freeman's whiskey sours.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Participants paired unrelated concepts by canonical colours (a less accustomed task – e.g., pairing ketchup with fire-extinguishers due to both being red) or paired well-related concepts by semantic relationship (a typical task – e.g., ketchup is related to mustard).

Cortex

Sweet winter vegetables also pair well with spicy seasonings.

The New York Times

I considered almonds, as they pair well with peaches.

The New York Times - Food

It would also pair well with a glass of syrah.

The New York Times

The wine, it says, will pair well with roasted small game, grilled meats and fish steaks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food or drink pairings, use "paired well" to suggest a delightful or complementary combination of flavors.

Common error

Avoid using "paired well" in overly simple sentences where a more direct verb like "matched" or "suited" would be more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paired well" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating a harmonious or complementary relationship between two or more elements. Ludwig provides examples showing its common use in describing food and drink pairings, relationships between people, and the compatibility of concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "paired well" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe harmonious or complementary relationships. Ludwig indicates that it is commonly found in news and media, science, and wiki sources. The phrase is considered correct and can effectively convey the idea of two or more elements working effectively together or enhancing each other. Remember to avoid overuse in simple sentences and consider using more direct synonyms when appropriate. Ludwig's examples provide ample context for understanding its usage and application in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complemented each other

Emphasizes mutual enhancement or improvement between the items.

harmonized nicely

Highlights the pleasant or agreeable combination of elements.

worked well together

Focuses on the effective collaboration or functioning of the items.

suited each other

Suggests a natural or fitting match between the items.

blended seamlessly

Implies a smooth and indistinguishable integration of the elements.

matched ideally

Indicates the perfect or most desirable combination.

coordinated effectively

Highlights the organized and efficient interaction between items.

aligned perfectly

Suggests a precise and harmonious arrangement of elements.

connected meaningfully

Emphasizes a significant or purposeful relationship between items.

corresponded appropriately

Indicates a fitting or suitable relationship in a particular context.

FAQs

How can I use "paired well" in a sentence?

You can use "paired well" to describe how two or more things complement each other, such as "The wine "paired well" with the cheese" or "The two actors "paired well" on stage".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "paired well"?

Some alternatives to "paired well" include "complemented each other", "harmonized nicely", or "worked well together", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "pairs well" instead of "paired well"?

Yes, "pairs well" is also correct, but it is used in different tenses. "Paired well" is past tense, while "pairs well" is present tense, typically used when discussing general compatibility rather than a specific instance.

What's the difference between "paired well" and "matched well"?

"Paired well" suggests a complementary relationship, where the two items enhance each other. "Matched well", on the other hand, simply indicates that the items are similar or suitable for each other. The nuance lies in the enhancement aspect of ""paired well"".