two at a time

USAGE SUMMARY

'two at a time' is a correct and common phrase in written English, which can be used when referring to the amount of something that is done or received at once.
For example: "The children could only go up the slide two at a time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They only have two at a time".

The New Yorker

The teams worked two at a time.

Independent

One signed on to parent two at a time.

The New York Times

He ran up steps two at a time.

The New Yorker

Knopf is bringing them out two at a time.

The New Yorker

Beat in the eggs, two at a time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I took the stairs two at a time.

The New York Times

An instructor orders them two at a time.

The New York Times

You may need to do just two at a time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He took the stairs two at a time.

The New Yorker

She was soon eating them two at a time.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a repetitive action, using "two at a time" can add rhythm and clarity to your writing. For instance, "He climbed the stairs "two at a time", eager to reach the top."

Common error

Avoid using "two at a time" when the action inherently involves more than two, or when the context suggests a continuous flow rather than discrete pairs. For example, it would be awkward to say "The factory produced cars 'two at a time'" if the production line handles many cars simultaneously.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two at a time" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the manner in which an action is performed. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this, as in "He ran up steps "two at a time"", where it modifies "ran".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "two at a time" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe the manner in which an action is performed, specifically in increments of two. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Wiki, and Science. While versatile in register, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for general communication. To ensure effective writing, remember to use "two at a time" when precision regarding incremental progression is required, avoiding contexts where the action inherently involves more than two or suggests a continuous flow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pair at a time

Uses "pair" as a synonym for "two", emphasizing the set.

in pairs

Replaces the numerical "two" with a more general term for groups of two.

one pair at a time

Specifies there is only one pair being done at a rate.

two by two

Emphasizes the pairing aspect, similar to the biblical phrase.

by twos

Similar to "in twos" but with a slightly different emphasis.

in twos

Highlights the grouping into sets of two.

a couple at a time

Uses "couple" to refer to two items or people done at a specific rate.

double at a time

Focuses on the quantity being double at a specific rate

in small batches

Shifts focus to a small quantity being processed at once.

in increments of two

More formally specifies the quantity being handled at each instance.

FAQs

How can I use "two at a time" in a sentence?

You can use "two at a time" to describe actions performed in pairs or to indicate a specific quantity being handled at once. For example, "The baker placed the cookies on the tray "two at a time"" or "The students were called into the office "two at a time".

What are some alternatives to saying "two at a time"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "in pairs", "two by two", or "a couple at a time" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "one or two at a time"?

Yes, "one or two at a time" is a correct and commonly used variation to indicate that items are being handled individually or in pairs. For example, "Please take the brochures, one or "two at a time", so everyone gets a chance."

What's the difference between "two at a time" and "simultaneously"?

"Two at a time" specifies a quantity or grouping in pairs, while "simultaneously" ("simultaneously") simply means happening at the same time, without necessarily implying a specific number. For instance, "The twins spoke simultaneously" indicates they spoke at the same moment, but not necessarily about something related to them happening "two at a time".