there were a pair

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were a pair" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be "there was a pair" since "pair" is a singular noun. Example: "There was a pair of shoes left at the store."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

There were a pair of superb performances in qualifying rounds.

The Guardian - Sport

Monday's game was so long that there were a pair of seventh-inning stretches.

The New York Times - Sports

There were a pair of elephants in the room at the Grosvenor House hotel in central London, and their names were Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross.

The Guardian

There were a pair of billboard-size murals, one of a burning Israeli flag, the other of a young boy hurling a stone.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the plastic bag I had been given at the hospital there were a pair of corduroy pants, a wool shirt, a belt and I think nothing else.

The New York Times - Magazine

No lobster again?" — though on three memorable occasions there were a pair of bugs, yellow rubber bands now around their claws, scuttling in the bucket.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

While Friday was a quiet day on Wall Street there was a pair of deals in the headlines.

Forbes

I remember an episode of Friends where neat-freak Monica can't fall asleep knowing there is a pair of errant shoes in her living room.

Huffington Post

"Eastbounders, there's a pair of bears waiting for you.

The New Yorker

There was a pair of bowls in front of him.

The New Yorker

Somewhere, too, there's a pair of lined work gloves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For formal writing, consider rephrasing to avoid the construction altogether, such as "a pair existed" or "two items were present".

Common error

Avoid using the plural verb form "were" with the singular noun "pair". Always use "was" to maintain grammatical correctness. The phrase 'there was a pair' is correct, while 'there were a pair' is not.

Linguistic Context

The phrase “there were a pair” functions as an existential clause introducing the presence or existence of two items or individuals. While grammatically dubious, Ludwig examples shows the expression is still used. The correct form would be using "there was a pair".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase “there were a pair” is used to indicate the presence of two items or individuals. While prevalent in news and media, it is grammatically questionable; Ludwig AI suggests that the correct form is "there was a pair". To maintain grammatical correctness, it is advisable to use the singular verb form or rephrase the sentence to alternatives such as "there was a pair", "a pair existed" or "two items were present", especially in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

There was a pair

Changes the verb tense to the singular form to match "pair", correcting the grammatical error.

There existed one pair

Clarifies the existence with an explicit quantity and emphasizes the singular nature of a pair.

A pair existed

Replaces the existential "there were" with a more direct statement of existence.

Two items were present

Substitutes "a pair" with a more explicit description of quantity and presence.

Two individuals were there

Replaces with more explicit description about being people.

A duo was there

Uses "duo" as a synonym for "pair", providing a slightly more sophisticated tone.

A couple was there

Uses "couple" as a synonym for "pair", suitable when referring to people or things commonly found together.

There happen to be a pair

Introduces an element of chance or unexpectedness to the presence of the pair.

Two of them were

Offers a more generic way to indicate the presence of two items.

They came in pairs

Shifts the focus to how something is typically grouped or presented.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "there were a pair"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is "there was a pair" because "pair" is a singular noun and requires a singular verb.

What is a better way to phrase "there were a pair"?

Instead of "there were a pair", you can say "there was a pair", "a pair existed", or "two items were present" for clarity and correctness.

How does using "there was a pair" instead of "there were a pair" change the meaning?

Using "there was a pair" doesn't change the meaning, but corrects the grammar. It maintains the same intent while ensuring subject-verb agreement.

In what contexts might I still encounter "there were a pair"?

While grammatically incorrect, "there were a pair" may be encountered in informal speech or writing, or in contexts where grammatical rules are loosely followed. However, it is best to avoid it in formal communication. Ludwig indicates that is indeed a frequently used expression.