two dozen and one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "two dozen and one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity that is one more than twenty-four, often in contexts involving counting or inventory. Example: "The bakery prepared two dozen and one cookies for the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"Mr. Plofsky has looked the other way two dozen and one times on people who were Democrats," he said.

The New York Times

He began as a writer and producer for the show during its fifth season and wrote the episodes "Lisa's Rival", "Two Dozen and One Greyhounds" and "Lisa on Ice" which aired in season six.

Wikipedia

Although animals in cartoons often behave with "semi-human awareness", Groening said on the DVD audio commentary for the episode "Two Dozen and One Greyhounds" that he prefers animals in cartoons to behave exactly the way they do in real life.

Wikipedia

"Two Dozen and One Greyhounds" received a generally positive reception from television critics.

Wikipedia

"Two Dozen and One Greyhounds" was written by Mike Scully and directed by Bob Anderson.

Wikipedia

"Two Dozen and One Greyhounds" is the 20th episode of The Simpsons sixth season and originally aired on April 9 , 1995

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

At the ripe age of 12, she has landed nearly two dozen one-on-one interviews with big league stars, opportunities that many full-grown beat writers would covet, and has written them up for publications including Sports Illustrated Kids, Baseball Youth and Junior Baseball magazines.

The New York Times

In 2004, in Columbus, Ohio, Charles McCoy Jr. was arrested and charged with two dozen shootings and one death.

Los Angeles Times

Those "several" circles, I saw, were more like three dozen, and every one of them seemed to be rising from the canvas, buoyed by the shrewdly exuberant juxtapositioning of their different colors, sizes and apparent translucencies.

The New York Times - Science

It is this aspect of Swinton's presence, in two dozen films (and one music video) — her witty, sometimes eerie ability to turn the screen on the viewer, as it were — that has made her quite possibly the only real film star whose career has been fostered almost exclusively by the art house and the cinéaste.

The New Yorker

Protests over Scott's death led to more than 100 arrests, two dozen injuries and one death.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "two dozen and one", ensure the context is appropriate for this slightly less common expression of quantity. It can add a touch of specificity or emphasis compared to simply saying "twenty-five".

Common error

Avoid using "two dozen and one" in contexts that demand precise numerical figures or calculations, as it can be perceived as overly verbose or informal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two dozen and one" primarily functions as a numerical quantifier, specifying a discrete quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in contexts where a number slightly greater than a multiple of twelve is specified.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

31%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "two dozen and one" serves as a numerical phrase equivalent to twenty-five, often used to add a descriptive element that highlights the grouping of items into dozens. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While "twenty-five" is more direct, "two dozen and one" can add specificity or emphasis. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki content, suggesting a neutral register. For variety, consider alternatives like "twenty-five", "a score and five", or rephrasing to "one more than two dozen". However, avoid using it in contexts requiring precise numerical calculations, to avoid sounding overly verbose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Twenty-five

Replaces the phrase with its direct numerical equivalent. This changes the structure from descriptive to numerical.

Two dozen plus one

Uses the term "plus" instead of "and", which is mathematically correct but alters the phrasing slightly.

One more than two dozen

Rephrases to indicate that "one" is added to "two dozen", which is grammatically correct but alters the word order.

Twenty and five

Uses the term "and" to concatenate the numerical parts, it is grammatically correct but alters the word order.

Two dozen with an additional one

Adds a prepositional phrase for specifying the additional unit, changing the structure and length.

Twenty-four plus one

Explicitly states the numbers before summing them up, changing the flow and emphasis.

A score and five

Employs archaic terminology ("score" meaning twenty) which alters the tone and register significantly.

Two multiplied by twelve, plus one

Breaks down "two dozen" into its mathematical components before adding "one", for emphasis.

A couple dozen and one

Uses "couple" instead of "two", slightly softening the numerical impact and being less precise.

Two sets of twelve, and one more

Emphasizes the grouping of twelve before adding the single unit, altering the phrasing.

FAQs

How can I use "two dozen and one" in a sentence?

You can use "two dozen and one" to express the quantity 25. For example, "The bakery prepared "two dozen and one" cookies for the event."

Is it better to say "twenty-five" or "two dozen and one"?

The choice depends on the context. "Twenty-five" is more straightforward, while ""two dozen and one"" can add a specific or descriptive element, particularly if you are emphasizing the composition of the quantity.

Are there other ways to express the quantity of 25?

Yes, alternatives include "a score and five" (though this is less common), or phrases like "one more than two dozen" for descriptive emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "two dozen and one" instead of just "twenty-five"?

Use ""two dozen and one"" when you want to highlight the grouping of items into dozens, followed by a single additional item. It's suitable in contexts where you're building up the quantity conceptually, rather than just stating it.