the two men

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the two men" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific pair of men previously mentioned or known in the context. Example: "The two men walked into the room and immediately caught everyone's attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The two men disagree.

The Economist

The two men embraced.

The New York Times - Sports

The two men succeeded.

The Economist

The two men bonded.

The New York Times

The two men part.

Independent

The two men surrendered.

The New Yorker

The two men quarreled.

The New York Times

The two men laughed.

The New York Times

The two men fled.

The New York Times

The two men laughed companionably.

The New York Times - Arts

The two men met twice.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and formality of your writing. "The two gentlemen" might be more appropriate in formal contexts than "the two guys".

Common error

Avoid using "the two men" if there are multiple pairs of men within the same context. This can cause confusion. Use names or other identifiers to distinguish them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the two men" functions as a determiner phrase identifying a specific group of two male individuals. Ludwig indicates its correctness and usability in various contexts. It specifies the subject of a sentence or clause, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the two men" is a commonly used phrase to refer to a specific pair of male individuals. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and applicable in various writing contexts. While primarily found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communication. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly specifying which individuals are being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For alternative wording, "the pair of men" or "both men" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the pair of men

Replaces "two" with "pair", emphasizing the duo aspect.

these two men

Uses "these" to indicate proximity or recent mention.

both men

Focuses on the duality of the subjects.

those two men

Uses "those" to indicate distance or previous mention.

the two individuals

Substitutes "men" with "individuals", making it gender-neutral.

the two gentlemen

Replaces "men" with "gentlemen", adding a formal tone.

the aforesaid men

Refers back to men previously mentioned, in a formal way.

the duo

A shorter, more concise way to refer to two people.

the two figures

Replaces "men" with "figures", useful if gender is unknown or irrelevant.

the couple of guys

More casual and informal than "the two men".

FAQs

How can I use "the two men" in a sentence?

Use "the two men" to refer to a specific pair of males previously mentioned or clearly identifiable in the context. For instance, "The two men walked into the room."

What are some alternatives to saying "the two men"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "the pair of men", "the two gentlemen", or simply "the duo".

When is it appropriate to use "the two men" vs. "both men"?

"The two men" is suitable when you've already established who you are referring to, whereas "both men" can be used to emphasize that you are talking about each of the two men individually and collectively.

Is "the two men" always the best choice, or are there situations where another phrase is preferable?

While grammatically correct, "the two men" may not always be the most descriptive or appropriate. If their roles or characteristics are relevant, phrases like "the two leaders" or "the two friends" might provide better context.