these two ladies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "these two ladies" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific pair of women in a conversation or text. Example: "These two ladies have been friends since childhood and often share their experiences together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

"These two ladies are my life," Mr. Gresham rasped, his first comment in nearly an hour.

The New York Times

"These two ladies have been very special, and it's just been delightful," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

In the contrasting behavior of these two ladies the true story of nobility is written plain.

The New Yorker

The confidence, drive, application and excitement for business and innovation of these two ladies has been extraordinary.

The Guardian

"I felt that these two ladies would provide such a strong time reference that I could take a little bit more freedom," Mr. Kaminski said.

The New York Times

Both monarchs survived through the lifetimes of most of their subjects, and in so doing, these two ladies, in themselves unremarkable, reassure their country that it too will survive.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

In addition, fashion stylist June Ambrose and fashion designer Rachel Roy may spend their time making others look amazing, but they didn't skimp on themselves--these two ladies also made the list.

Huffington Post

I haven't listened to these three ladies.

The New York Times - Arts

He added, "We said all along that these four ladies were in a terrible bind," fearful of losing their jobs and subject to intimidation.

The New York Times

Asked about those romantic flings, Mr. Sherman said, "I wanted to tell a little bit about these three ladies, who were fascinating and very exciting and wonderful women". It wasn't just "a kiss-and-tell thing," he added.

The New York Times

"Because these nine ladies took a stand and said, 'We want this, and we want this to happen for us and for our tour.' And now look at us.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "these two ladies" when you want to refer to a specific pair of women in a respectful and slightly formal manner. Ensure the context makes it clear who you are referring to.

Common error

While "these two ladies" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "the two women" or "the individuals" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "these two ladies" functions as a determiner phrase identifying a specific pair of women. It is commonly used to introduce or refer back to individuals previously mentioned, Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "these two ladies" is a common and generally correct way to refer to a specific pair of women, as Ludwig AI confirms. While its usage is widespread in news and media, it’s important to consider the context. For highly formal or academic writing, more neutral alternatives like "the two women" might be preferable. When aiming for politeness and respect, "these two ladies" serves well, just ensure the context makes the referents clear. Remember to avoid overusing it and consider alternatives like "the ladies in question" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the ladies in question

Omits the word "two" while still referring to a specific pair of women.

those two women

Similar in meaning, but could imply a physical distance or a degree of separation from the speaker.

the two women in question

Emphasizes a specific pair of women previously mentioned, providing a more formal tone.

both women

Highlights that the statement applies to each woman individually.

the aforementioned women

Indicates the two women have been previously named or described.

the pair of women

A more generic way to refer to two women, less personal than the original.

the couple of women

Implies a less formal or structured relationship between the two women.

the two females

A more clinical or detached way of referring to two women.

the two girls

Suitable only if the context clearly indicates that the individuals are young girls.

the two individuals

Uses a neutral term to refer to two people, regardless of gender.

FAQs

What's a more formal alternative to "these two ladies"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "the two women" or "the aforementioned women". These options are suitable for academic or professional contexts where a more neutral tone is preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "these two ladies"?

This phrase is appropriate when referring to a specific pair of women in a context that calls for politeness or respect, such as in customer service or when introducing someone. However, it may be less suitable in very formal or technical writing.

What can I say instead of "these two ladies" in informal settings?

In informal settings, you could use phrases like "those two women" or "the pair of women". The best choice depends on the specific context and your relationship with the people you're referring to.

Is there a difference between "these two ladies" and "those two ladies"?

While similar, "these two ladies" implies that the speakers are closer to the subjects (either physically or in the conversation), while "those two ladies" suggests a greater distance or separation.