two donkeys

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "two donkeys" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity of two donkeys, either in a literal or figurative context. Example: "The farmer has two donkeys that help him carry supplies to the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

The two donkeys were killed as well.

The New York Times

Her family had surrendered enough savings to rent two donkeys.

The New York Times

"The Mail has offered two donkeys and ITV just the one.

Independent

Two donkeys, named Larry and Moe, grazed on a distant hilltop (Curly had died).

The New York Times - Travel

At one, workers reportedly once tried to transform two donkeys into zebras by applying stripes of hair dye.

The New York Times

A whimsical riff on the bookmobile, Mr. Soriano's Biblioburro is a small institution: one man and two donkeys.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"We look at everything with a sense of humour," says Rokni, who sometimes depicts himself as a clown with a red nose and two donkey ears.

The Economist

The museum was made famous in the 2007 documentary "The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters," about two Donkey Kong rivals, which helped jump-start a new appreciation of these classic games.

The New York Times - Arts

Three donkeys peer over a fence improvised from rusted mattress springs.

The Guardian

"We have three donkeys, which we use to plough our field," he said.

Independent

W. E. Moore started one of the earliest public transportation lines in Britain in 1815, with three donkeys and a cart.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene or situation involving donkeys, use "two donkeys" to clearly indicate the quantity, especially when their number is relevant to the narrative.

Common error

Ensure you are accurately identifying the animals as donkeys and not confusing them with mules or other similar species. If unsure, provide additional descriptive details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two donkeys" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as a plural noun phrase indicating a quantity of donkeys. It acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "two donkeys" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, primarily serving a descriptive purpose across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. It appears most often in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business categories, and it maintains a neutral tone. While alternatives exist, such as "a pair of donkeys", the core meaning remains consistent, offering flexibility in expression while maintaining clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pair of donkeys

Replaces "two" with "a pair of", emphasizing the duo as a unit.

a couple of donkeys

Uses "a couple of" instead of "two", indicating a small number.

two asses

Replaces "donkeys" with "asses", a synonym.

a donkey pair

Simply reorders and uses "pair" instead of "two".

two mules

Substitutes "donkeys" with "mules", which are similar animals used for similar purposes.

a couple of burros

Substitutes "donkeys" with "burros", a synonym, and replaces "two" with "a couple of".

a donkey duo

Emphasizes the pair as a team or unit.

brace of donkeys

A "brace" refers to two animals that are hunted together, less common but applicable.

a team of donkeys

Implies they are working together, as a unit.

two pack animals

Focuses on their function as carriers, rather than their specific species.

FAQs

How can I use "two donkeys" in a sentence?

You can use "two donkeys" to describe a scene involving the animals, such as, "The farmer used "two donkeys" to plow the field."

What is the difference between "two donkeys" and "a pair of donkeys"?

While both phrases refer to the same quantity, "a pair of donkeys" emphasizes the animals as a unit or set, whereas ""two donkeys"" simply specifies the number.

Are there any idioms related to "two donkeys"?

While there are no common idioms specifically using the phrase "two donkeys", donkeys are often associated with stubbornness. Consider if an idiom related to stubbornness might apply to the situation.

What are some alternative phrases to "two donkeys" if I want to avoid repetition?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a couple of donkeys", "two mules" (if applicable), or "a pair of donkeys".