two legs

USAGE SUMMARY

"two legs" is a correct phrase and it can be used in written English.
For example, "Most animals have two legs, but spiders have eight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two Legs, Yes.

The New York Times

Pigs, walking on two legs?

Independent

I got two legs".

The New York Times

Nixon had only two legs.

The Washington Post

Note: Two legs not visible.

The Washington Post

Two arms and two legs.

The New Yorker

Three legs good, two legs better.

MIT Technology Review

It's because we walk on two legs.

Independent

We fancy ourselves over the two legs.

The Guardian - Sport

"He just does it on two legs.

The New York Times

Oreo broke two legs in the fall.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing movement or stability, clearly state if the subject is using "two legs" for balance or locomotion to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly specifying if an animal or object has "two legs" when the number might be unexpected or relevant to the context. For example, clarify that a robot design features "two legs" rather than assuming it's obvious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two legs" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used to describe a physical attribute or characteristic of a subject. Ludwig confirms its validity and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

23%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "two legs" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a physical characteristic, predominantly found in neutral contexts like news and general descriptions. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and widespread usage across various domains. While alternatives like "lower limbs" exist for more formal settings, "two legs" remains suitable for everyday communication and general informational purposes. Remember to specify "two legs" when the number of legs is a key detail or might be unexpected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legs

Uses a shorter version by removing the number.

pair of legs

Specifies the quantity more explicitly than the original phrase.

having two legs

Adds "having" to describe the legs in possessive.

two-legged

Adjectival form describing something or someone with two legs.

bipedal locomotion

Focuses on the mode of movement rather than the body parts themselves.

lower limbs

Uses a more technical, anatomical term for legs.

walking on two feet

Emphasizes the action of walking on the specified appendages.

ambulating on two limbs

Replaces simple terms with sophisticated vocabulary.

standing upright

Highlights the posture associated with using two legs.

using two legs for support

Focuses on the function of the legs in providing stability.

FAQs

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

You can use "two legs" to describe the physical characteristics of a creature or object, such as, "The robot was designed to walk on "two legs"".

What's another way to say "two legs"?

Alternatives include "pair of legs" or "lower limbs", depending on the desired level of formality.

When is it important to specify "two legs" instead of just "legs"?

It's important to specify "two legs" when contrasting with creatures or objects that have a different number of legs, such as insects or quadrupeds.

Is it more formal to say "lower limbs" instead of "two legs"?

Yes, "lower limbs" is generally considered more formal and is often used in medical or scientific contexts, whereas "two legs" is more common in everyday language.