two of those

USAGE SUMMARY

"two of those" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something previously mentioned or easily understood by the reader. For example: "She bought three dresses, but two of those didn't fit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Two of those were stoppable.

The New York Times - Sports

Two of those reviews were negative.

The New York Times

Two of those cheapie bike locks.

The New York Times

Then I lost two of those.

The New Yorker

Wrap me up two of those.

The New Yorker

Two of those funds have since closed.

The New York Times

(At least two of those were obvious).

The New York Times - Books

Two of those killed were under 18.

Independent

Two of those involved threatened to sue.

The New York Times

Two of those pitchers, McLain and Hernandez, were Tigers.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

One of those two.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "two of those", ensure the 'those' refers to a clearly defined group or set previously mentioned to avoid ambiguity. For instance, if you mentioned three options, then stating "two of those" makes it clear you're selecting two from those specific three.

Common error

Avoid using "two of those" without establishing what 'those' refers to. Without a clear antecedent, the phrase becomes vague and confuses the reader. Always ensure the reference is explicit and easily identifiable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "two of those" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically acting as a post-determiner that quantifies a subset from a previously identified group. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. The examples in Ludwig showcase its role in specifying a portion of something already mentioned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

24%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "two of those" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for specifying a quantity of two from a previously referenced group, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its function is to clearly identify a subset within a larger context. The phrase's register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for both formal and informal settings, with a notable presence in news, academic, and scientific sources. To ensure clarity, always provide a clear antecedent for 'those'. Common alternatives include "a couple of them" and "both of them". Remember, while similar to 'two of these', 'two of those' implies a previous reference, distinguishing it by context and timing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

both of them

Emphasizes that exactly two items or individuals from the group are being referred to.

a couple of them

Replaces "two" with "a couple", implying a slightly less precise quantity, but maintains the reference to a previously mentioned group.

pair of those

Substitutes "two" with "pair", emphasizing the duality or partnership aspect within the group.

only two of those

Adds emphasis on the limited quantity, highlighting that only two items meet the criteria.

just two of those

Similar to 'only two', this phrase stresses the small number being singled out.

some of those

Uses "some" instead of "two", indicating an unspecified number greater than one from the mentioned set.

a few of them

Replaces "two" with "a few", suggesting a small but indefinite number from the group.

two from that group

Rephrases to specify the selection process explicitly involving a group

out of those two

Clarifies the focus is specifically on two items that were already singled out from a larger set

a brace of those

Uses 'brace' as a synonym for 'pair', providing a more formal or archaic tone while denoting exactly two.

FAQs

How can I use "two of those" in a sentence?

Use "two of those" when referring back to a previously mentioned group or set of items. For example, "I ordered three books, and "two of those" were signed by the author".

What are some alternatives to saying "two of those"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a couple of them", "both of them", or "a pair of those".

Is it correct to say "two of them" instead of "two of those"?

Yes, "two of them" is often interchangeable with "two of those", especially if the referent is clear from the context. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize that the items belong to a specific group (those) or simply refer to them (them).

What's the difference between "two of these" and "two of those"?

"Two of these" typically refers to items that are immediately present or being directly indicated, while "two of those" refers to items that have been previously mentioned or are understood from a past context. The difference is about proximity and when the items were introduced in the conversation.