there were only two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were only two" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a limited amount of something. For example, "At the store, there were only two cans of tomato sauce left on the shelf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some nights there were only two people in the audience".

The Guardian

During the movement task there were only two techniques.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

There were only two real failures.

The New York Times

There were only two parliamentarians who fought.

The New Yorker

There were only two problems.

The New York Times - Magazine

"There were only two women".

The New York Times

In August, there were only two.

The New York Times

Instead, there were only two standouts.

The New York Times

There were only two of us going.

The Guardian - Sport

But there were only two short appearances.

The Guardian

There were only two people backstage.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there were only two", ensure the context clearly establishes what the two items are being compared against or are a subset of. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity. For example, "Out of all applicants, there were only two who met the qualifications".

Common error

Avoid using "there were only two" when the overall context doesn't imply a limitation. For instance, stating "There were only two apples" without implying a selection from a larger group makes the statement sound incomplete. Specify the source of this limitation to be more clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were only two" functions as an existential clause that introduces the fact that something exists, but in a limited quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. The phrase commonly sets up a contrast or limitation. It is used to specify a small number of items or options.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there were only two" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate a limited quantity or selection. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It commonly appears in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, to highlight scarcity or constraint. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what the two items are and why their limitation is significant. Alternatives like "only two existed" or "a mere couple" can add nuance depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only two existed

Focuses on the existence of just two items, omitting the 'were'.

precisely two

Specifies the exact quantity, emphasizing the limitation.

just two remained

Emphasizes the remaining quantity being limited to two.

only a pair

Replaces 'two' with 'a pair' to indicate the limited quantity.

a mere couple

Uses 'a mere couple' to downplay the quantity.

a scant two

Uses 'scant' to emphasize the small number.

merely a duo

Substitutes "two" with "a duo", highlighting the pairing aspect.

two alone

Highlights that only two items are present.

a solitary couple

Combines "solitary" to reinforce the smallness and isolation of the pair.

a grand total of two

Uses "grand total" sarcastically to emphasize the small number.

FAQs

How can I use "there were only two" in a sentence?

You can use "there were only two" to indicate a limited quantity or selection. For example: "Despite numerous attempts, there were only two successful trials".

What are some alternatives to "there were only two"?

Alternatives include phrases like "only two existed", "just two remained", or "a mere couple" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "there was only two"?

No, it's not grammatically correct. The phrase "there were only two" is correct because "were" is the plural form of "to be" and agrees with the plural "two". Using "was" would be grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "there were only two" and "there were at least two"?

"There were only two" indicates a maximum of two, while "there were at least two" implies a minimum of two, with the possibility of more.