the pair of dates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the pair of dates" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two specific dates that are being compared, discussed, or highlighted together. Example: "Please provide the pair of dates that mark the beginning and end of the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

One example of this would be stating that this false boyfriend is homeschooled and that he isn't allowed to go out during the term, but the pair of you still date over holidays.

WikiHow

If we are willing to accept that the youngest of each pair of dates obtained for individual RPCBs indicates the approximate timing of the HEMI events that produced the boulders, then it is helpful to plot the data on a timeline in order to visualise the relative frequency and magnitude of the events (Figure 4).

Geoscience Letters

In the middle of each stone, a polished, empty space awaits only a pair of dates and someone's name.

The New Yorker

To date, the pair of disabled military veterans have spent most of their time tying each other to past controversies or controversial politicians like Rod Blagojevich and Donald Trump.

Huffington Post

A concordant pair of dates was also obtained using enamel and bone from a cattle mandible (Bos taurus, GF10), which was found deflated on the surface of the paleolake deposit (Table 6, dates 9, 10).

Plosone

While it's too early to make predictions about exactly what styles of music the new hall will want to ally itself with -- one imagines anything sleek, smart and accessibly up to date -- the pair of jazz concerts programmed for the hall's opening weekend were surprises.

The New York Times - Arts

The date of the first AER of the pair was the date of the onset.

Diabetes Care

Enjoy with the aid of cognitive dissonance on the rapper's pair of UK dates (O2 Institute Birmingham, 27 May; Eventim Apollo, W6, 29 May) … Not long ago, Norwich teens Let's Eat Grandma were doing Ed Sheeran covers.

The Guardian - Music

After it was revealed the pair are dating, a group of fans of 17-year-old Harry - calling themselves 'Directioners' - posted a string of hateful messages to Caroline on twitter but she says the One Direction singer helped her to cope with it because he is so "mature".

Independent

Already sold out on its opening weekend, 33 works span Kahlo's self-portraits, sketches and letters, to canvases by Rivera, and more than 50 photographs of the pair, which date from 1911 to the 1950s.

The Guardian - Arts

There is a pleasing symmetry to the pairing of these two elegantly slender novellas, both dating from the early 1930s.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to "the pair of dates", ensure the context clearly indicates what these dates represent, such as a start and end date for a project, or two significant dates in history.

Common error

Avoid using "the pair of date" when referring to more than two dates. Ensure subject-verb agreement; use a plural verb form if the dates are the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the pair of dates" functions as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. It specifies a set of two dates, often implying a relationship or connection between them.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the pair of dates" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote two specific dates considered together. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is correct and usable. Though no direct examples were found in the search results, the analysis suggests its primary function is to specify a set of two dates in a relatively neutral register. For simplicity, "the two dates" can often be used as a substitute in less formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the two dates

This alternative directly replaces "pair of" with "two", maintaining the same meaning with a more concise phrasing.

the date range

This alternative focuses on the interval between the two dates, rather than the individual dates themselves.

the start and end dates

This alternative specifies the role of each date, indicating a beginning and an ending point.

the initial and final dates

Similar to 'start and end dates', this clarifies the sequence by labeling the dates as 'initial' and 'final'.

the relevant dates

This alternative is more general, implying that the context will clarify which dates are being referred to.

the mentioned dates

This highlights that the dates have been previously brought up in conversation or writing.

the specified dates

This suggests that the dates have been explicitly defined or identified beforehand.

the given dates

This indicates that the dates have been provided as information.

the chronological dates

This refers to dates placed in order of time sequence.

the historical dates

This focuses on dates of past events.

FAQs

How can I use "the pair of dates" in a sentence?

You can use "the pair of dates" to specify two dates that are being considered together. For example: "Please provide the pair of dates that mark the beginning and end of the project timeline."

What are some alternatives to "the pair of dates"?

Alternatives include "the two dates", "the date range", or "the start and end dates", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the pair of dates"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct to use "the pair of dates" when referring to two specific dates. It indicates that you're considering these two dates as a set or group.

What's the difference between "the pair of dates" and "the set of dates"?

"The pair of dates" refers specifically to two dates, whereas "the set of dates" implies there could be more than two. Use "the pair of dates" when you are only talking about two specific dates and "the set of dates" when there are potentially more.