these two individuals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "these two individuals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific pair of people in a discussion or analysis. Example: "In the study, these two individuals demonstrated remarkable differences in their responses to the treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He wouldn't be painting a portrait of these two individuals.

The New Yorker

How these two individuals met and married is a subject for another narrative, by another writer.

The New Yorker

The U.S. is determined to see these two individuals brought before this court.

The New York Times

I regret any comments that may have been made about these two individuals who are honorable Americans".

The New York Times

"For that I take full responsibility, But, Ms. Kearney added, "These two individuals clearly failed this child".

The New York Times

"If anyone spots these two individuals, contact law enforcement officials — don't attempt to grab them," Mr. Romankow said.

The New York Times

"We have reason to believe that the ties between these two individuals go back to the nineteen-seventies," he said.

The New Yorker

The critical question is whether these two individuals, through no fault of their own, have unfair advantages over other athletes.

The New Yorker

I was thinking how courageous these two individuals are, and what strength and tenacity they had.

The New York Times

But this encounter is much more about the relationship that these two individuals had".

The New York Times

"We do not know what motivated this lone individual who came in and shot at these two individuals," said Deputy Chief Michel Moore.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context clearly establishes who the two individuals are being referred to, either through prior mention or immediate clarification.

Common error

Avoid using "these two individuals" in casual conversations or informal writing where it might sound stilted or unnatural. "These two people" is often a better choice in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "these two individuals" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically identifying and quantifying two distinct persons. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, indicating its role in specifying a particular pair being referenced.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

24%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "these two individuals" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to refer to two specific people. According to Ludwig AI, its slightly formal tone makes it suitable for professional, academic, and news contexts. While alternatives like "these two people" exist for more casual settings, "these two individuals" provides a clear and distinct way to identify a specific pair, particularly in writing. Its prevalence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and appropriateness in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the two people

Replaces "individuals" with the more common term "people".

the two persons

A more formal and slightly archaic alternative to "the two people".

the two parties

Synonymous, mostly used in legal environment

the two subjects

Common in scientific or academic contexts when referring to participants in a study.

these two subjects

Replace the word individuals, making it suitable to academic context

the pair in question

Emphasizes that the two individuals are being specifically discussed.

both parties

More formal and suitable when referring to participants in an agreement or dispute.

the aforementioned duo

A more sophisticated way of referring to two people previously mentioned.

the two of them

A more casual and general way to refer to two people.

the couple involved

Specifically refers to two people in a relationship or involved in a shared situation.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "these two individuals" instead of "these two people"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "these two individuals" is generally more formal and suitable for professional, academic, or legal contexts. "These two people" is more common in everyday conversation.

What are some alternatives to "these two individuals"?

You can use alternatives like "the two people", "the pair in question", or "both parties", depending on the specific context.

Is "these two individuals" considered overly formal in everyday speech?

Yes, in many everyday situations, using "these two individuals" can sound overly formal or stilted. Opting for "the two people" is often a more natural choice.

Can "these two individuals" be used in scientific writing?

Yes, "these two individuals" is perfectly acceptable in scientific writing, especially when referring to specific subjects or participants in a study. Other alternatives include "these two subjects".