unlikely pairing

USAGE SUMMARY

"unlikely pairing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe two people, things, or ideas that are unlikely to be together or work well together. Example: "The unlikely pairing of the introverted bookworm and the outgoing party animal seemed like an odd match, but they quickly became best friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

An unlikely pairing, at first glance, this cooperation couldn't make any more sense or seem more natural.

Huffington Post

She officially launched Hesperios — a brand centered on the unlikely pairing of knitwear and an art-literary publication — in January 2016.

The New York Times

Ireland's police force, An Garda Síochána, shared footage of the unlikely pairing to its Facebook page on Wednesday.

HuffPost

Coyne seems to be in love with both Cyrus' work and party ethic -- "always going 1000 miles an hour" -- and the alluring possibilities of that ethic could be the basis of their perhaps unlikely pairing.

Huffington Post

One unlikely pairing joined Ms. Duffy with Julio Figueroa and Marcos Vega of the New Millennium Little League.

The New York Times

Now Mara and Tisch are an unlikely pairing of old-school football and movie-style glamour, leaders of the only N.F.L. franchise evenly divided between two families.

The New York Times - Sports

It was an unlikely pairing.

The Guardian - Music

They are the most unlikely pairing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Racing organizations like the New Jersey Horsemen's Association have signaled a desire to consummate this once-unlikely pairing.

The New York Times

Yet the threat to the Freedom of Information Act has brought this unlikely pairing together.

Independent

On Food she actually sizzles – bitter, saucy and deeply umami by turns, in an unlikely pairing with another New York to LA transplant.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unlikely pairing", consider emphasizing why the combination is unexpected. Providing context will enhance the reader's understanding and appreciation of the surprising element.

Common error

While "unlikely pairing" is a useful phrase, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "odd couple" or "unexpected combination" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unlikely pairing" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often preceded by an article (a, an, the). It serves to identify a duo, combination, or association that is considered surprising or unexpected. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Arts

20%

Sports

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unlikely pairing" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe combinations that are surprising or unconventional. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and widespread. It functions as a noun phrase, often used to express surprise or highlight the unexpected nature of a combination. While its register is generally neutral, it finds frequent use in contexts like News & Media, Arts, and Sports. When employing this phrase, consider emphasizing why the combination is unusual to enhance the reader's understanding and engagement. Remember that varying language by employing synonyms such as "unexpected combination" or "odd couple" can also improve writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected combination

Focuses on the surprise element of things being together.

strange alliance

Highlights the unusual cooperation or agreement between different parties.

odd couple

Emphasizes the differences in personality or characteristics within a pair.

peculiar match

Stresses the atypical or uncommon nature of a pairing.

improbable duo

Suggests that the success or existence of the pair is statistically unlikely.

unconventional partnership

Highlights the deviation from established norms in a collaborative effort.

surprising collaboration

Emphasizes the unanticipated aspect of working together.

mismatched pair

Directly contrasts the elements being combined.

unforeseen association

Focuses on the unanticipated connection between two entities.

uncommon coupling

Highlights the rarity of the connection.

FAQs

How can I use "unlikely pairing" in a sentence?

You can use "unlikely pairing" to describe two things that don't usually go together, such as "The "unlikely pairing" of classical music and hip-hop surprisingly worked well".

What's a more formal way to say "unlikely pairing"?

A more formal alternative to "unlikely pairing" could be "unconventional partnership" or "improbable alliance" depending on the specific context.

What can I say instead of "unlikely pairing"?

You can use alternatives like "unexpected combination", "odd couple", or "strange alliance" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as an "unlikely pairing"?

Not necessarily. While it often implies surprise or initial skepticism, "unlikely pairing" can also highlight a unique and surprisingly successful combination.