the 2 of them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the 2 of them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to two specific people or items in a conversation or narrative. Example: "After the meeting, the 2 of them decided to grab lunch together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He had even managed to remember a corsage for his date & the 2 of them posed for a few Polaroids before they swept off..

The New Yorker

The 2 of them are very sick individuals to think that was ok.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The 3 of them watch the flames.

The New Yorker

The 3 of them had been following him.

The New Yorker

The 12 of them have been absolutely fantastic".

The Guardian - Sport

Let the 12 of them figure it out".

The New York Times

The 3 of them see Matilda, who has grown to resemble her eccentric mother.

The New Yorker

Can the 70,000 of them in Oaxaca be made to take them?

The New York Times

We're being inspired by those things that are inside our head all 10 to the 11th of them.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The 3 of them grow especially irritable one evening during an extremely hot spell with a mistral.

The New Yorker

The 16,000 of them who have not yet retired face an immediate reduction of 10percentnt in their promised pensions.

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the 2 of them" when you specifically want to emphasize the numerical value of two, rather than simply referring to 'both'.

Common error

In formal writing, it's generally preferred to spell out numbers less than ten. Consider using "the two of them" instead of "the 2 of them" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the 2 of them" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically indicating a group of two entities. It modifies a noun or pronoun, specifying a particular subset. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the 2 of them" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a specific pair, as confirmed by Ludwig. While Ludwig shows it is more common in news and media, academic usage also exists. Although readily understood, it leans towards a neutral-to-informal register. In formal writing scenarios, opting for "the two of them" is typically preferred. Consider using alternatives like "both of them" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The pair of them

Replaces the numeral with 'pair', emphasizing the two as a set.

Both of them

Uses 'both' to directly indicate the two individuals are included.

The two individuals

More formal, replaces 'them' with 'individuals' for clarity.

The two people

Similar to the previous example, but uses 'people' instead of 'individuals'.

Those two

More concise, suitable when the referents are already clear.

These two

Similar to 'those two', indicating a specific pair.

The couple

Implies a romantic or associated pairing.

The duo

Commonly used to refer to a pair of performers, musicians, or collaborators.

The twosome

A more casual term for a pair, often implying a social unit.

Each of the two

Focuses on individuality within the pair.

FAQs

What is the difference between "the 2 of them" and "the two of them"?

While both phrases are understandable, "the two of them" is generally preferred in formal writing as it spells out the number. "The 2 of them" is acceptable in more informal contexts.

Can I use "the 2 of them" to refer to objects as well as people?

Yes, "the 2 of them" can refer to any two entities, whether they are people, objects, or ideas. For example, "I considered both options, but ultimately chose the 2 of them that offered the best long-term value."

What are some alternatives to "the 2 of them"?

You can use alternatives like "both of them", "the pair of them", or simply "the two" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "the 2 of them are"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "the 2 of them" functions as a plural subject, so it takes the plural verb form "are". For instance, "The 2 of them are going to the store."