there were two of them

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "There were two of them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a previously mentioned group of two people or objects. For example, "I saw a group of animals in the woods – there were two of them that looked like foxes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This would not be easy; I knew all the communists on the waterfront- there were two of them (both of whom in the following decade became millionaire businessmen).

The Guardian - Books

Actually, there were two of them.

The New York Times - Arts

There were two of them with us but 100 outside.

The Guardian

There were two of them, then four, then more.

The Washington Post

"There were two of them cowering in an inside office," she said.

The Guardian

There were two of them at the end of the bed.

The New Yorker

There were two of them: one proposed garage parking for 80 cars, the other proposed none.

The Guardian

They were mind-boggling and with New York-style excess, there were two of them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

There were three of them sheltering there.

The New Yorker

There were four of them, in all.

The New Yorker

In fact, there were four of them.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there were two of them" to clearly indicate the quantity when referring back to a previously mentioned group or set of items, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "there were two of them" without a clear prior reference. Ensure the reader knows who or what 'them' refers to; otherwise, the sentence becomes confusing and lacks context. Provide context first, then use the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were two of them" primarily functions as an existential clause, asserting the existence of two entities within a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its role in specifying quantity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "there were two of them" is a common and grammatically sound way to specify that a group consists of two entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure there's a clear antecedent for "them" to avoid confusion. Consider alternatives like "they were a pair" or "they numbered two" for stylistic variation. Remember to avoid using singular verbs with the plural "two". By following these tips, you can confidently and correctly use "there were two of them" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were a pair

Emphasizes the pairing aspect more strongly.

they numbered two

More concise and numeric focus.

the duo consisted of them

More formal and highlights the 'duo' nature.

there existed a pair

Inverts the sentence structure for emphasis.

there were a couple present

Emphasizes 'couple' and their presence.

a couple of them existed

Highlights existence with a more casual tone.

a brace of them was present

Uses 'brace,' which implies a linked pair.

two individuals were present

More formal and emphasizes individual presence.

two of them could be found

Emphasizes possibility and discovery.

they were both there

Focuses on presence and the 'both' aspect.

FAQs

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

Use "there were two of them" to refer to a previously mentioned group of two. For example, "I saw some birds; "there were two of them" perched on the fence."

What is a similar phrase to "there were two of them"?

Alternatives include phrases like "they were a pair", "they numbered two", or "a couple of them existed" depending on the specific context. See other alternatives "here".

Is it correct to say "there was two of them"?

No, the correct phrasing is "there were two of them". The plural verb "were" agrees with the plural noun "two".

When is it appropriate to use "there were two of them"?

It's appropriate when you want to specify the quantity of something as being two, particularly when referring back to something already introduced. It's useful when emphasizing that "they numbered two".