pairs of

USAGE SUMMARY

"pairs of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to two things. For example, "I bought three pairs of shoes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And why the three pairs of shoes?

The New York Times

"Twelve pairs of jeans?" Jagger said, smiling.

The New Yorker

Men buy seven pairs of pants.

The Economist

Some males have three pairs of eyes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

How about thousands of pairs of jeans?

The New York Times

Most beetles have two pairs of wings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Spiders have six pairs of appendages.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They usually have four pairs of legs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

SOME pairs of names are inseparable.

The Economist

Twelve drawings of pairs of things.

The New Yorker

Three pairs of inner socks, too.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pairs of" to clearly indicate that items are grouped in sets of two, such as "pairs of socks" or "pairs of shoes". This helps avoid ambiguity about quantity.

Common error

Avoid using "pairs of" when the noun is inherently plural or collective. For example, it's incorrect to say "pairs of scissors" because "scissors" is already treated as plural. Instead, quantify directly: "three pairs of jeans" is correct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pairs of" functions as a quantifier and a modifier. It specifies that a noun is present in multiple sets of two, indicating a specific quantity. As Ludwig suggests, it is used to describe items that naturally come in twos.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

27%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pairs of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as verified by Ludwig. It functions as a quantifier to indicate multiple sets of two items each. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and everyday conversations. While it's versatile, it's important to use it correctly with plural nouns and to avoid overuse in situations where other quantifying terms might be more appropriate. The expert analysis, drawing from a wide range of authoritative sources, confirms that "pairs of" is a clear and effective way to express quantities in sets of two.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sets of two

This alternative emphasizes the formation of distinct sets, highlighting the separate nature of each pair.

matched pairs

This alternative emphasizes the compatibility and similarity between the two items in each pair.

groupings of two

This alternative broadly describes any arrangement where items are collected in twos.

duos of

This alternative highlights the combination of two elements that work together.

couples of

This alternative is mainly used to describe items or persons involved in a romantic relationship.

double sets

This alternative stresses that there are two sets involved.

twosomes of

This alternative is often used informally to describe groups of two people.

brace of

This alternative is archaic and commonly used for game birds, indicating a pair.

teams of two

This alternative suggests a cooperative grouping for a specific purpose.

twofold arrangements

This alternative emphasizes a formal or structured configuration involving two elements.

FAQs

How do I use "pairs of" in a sentence?

Use "pairs of" to describe multiple sets of two items. For example, "I bought three "pairs of socks"" or "She owns several "pairs of shoes"".

What can I say instead of "pairs of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "sets of two", "couples of" (for people), or "matched pairs" to express similar meanings.

Is it correct to say "pair of shoes" or "pairs of shoes"?

The correct usage depends on the quantity. Use "pair of shoes" for one set of two shoes, and "pairs of shoes" for multiple sets. For example, "I have one "pair of shoes"" versus "I have three "pairs of shoes"".

What's the difference between "pairs of" and "couple of"?

"Pairs of" generally refers to sets of two items, while "couple of" often refers to two people in a relationship or a small, indefinite number of items. For example, "pairs of socks" versus "a couple of friends".