pair vs pairs

Both 'pair' and 'pairs' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Pair' is used when referring to two items that are considered together, while 'pairs' is the plural form used when referring to multiple sets of two items.

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 122 views

pair

Correct. 'Pair' is used when referring to two items that are considered together.

Use 'pair' when you are talking about two items that are matched or considered together.

Examples:

I bought a pair of shoes.
She wore a lovely pair of earrings.
The store sells socks in pairs.

Show examples from the web [+]

There's a pair called the Blackburn brothers.
My last pair dissolved over the years.
Coach Fisher has two pair, 10s high.
Next pair you splice will open the valve.
Maggie begins to suspect the pair.
The pair you see trying to keep pace are your companions.
The pair then separates and copulation ends.
Encrypt the new pair and continue.
The pair have not spoken since.
Flower brushes are collected in pair panicled inflorescences.
A final pair arrived mid March 2009 on STS-119.
Required to effectively monitor pair fishing.
Bad passphrase. Cannot generate a new key pair.
Full house containing three aces and any pair.
Choose the highest frequency pair for best resolution.
Elisabetta Franchi proposes a comfortable, refined pair.
Each pair is approximately equally probable.
Might want to invest in a spare pair.
These are exactly like the pair I lost.
One pair... That's all you need with Topaz.

Alternatives:

two items
a set of two
a couple of items
a duo

pairs

Correct. 'Pairs' is the plural form used when referring to multiple sets of two items.

Use 'pairs' when you are talking about more than one set of two items.

Examples:

There are three pairs of gloves on the table.
The store sells socks in pairs of three.
She bought several pairs of shoes.

Show examples from the web [+]

Isolated seven pairs of shoe prints.
Looks sadly at the experimenter and continues reading word pairs.
Or three pairs of high-heeled shoes.
Ideal for exposing 3 pairs of earrings.
Breeding pairs stay together for 2-3 days and sometimes even weeks.
Match pairs of identical tiles in this classic puzzle game...
Find and match pairs in this concentration-style game.
These cells were organized in pairs of two wired inparalleled.
During the reproduction period, the species forms seasonal monogamous pairs.
She owns over 1000 pairs of shoes.
The Renaissance guitar contained four pairs of strings called courses.
Ideal for displaying 15 pairs of earrings.
In every person are 23 pairs of chromosomes.
Repeat on all currency pairs you trade.
A festive atmosphere pairs with traditional goods.
Against this background, differences often occur in pairs.
The pairs often remain together for life.
The outer mower disc pairs rotate inwards.
Each sync job supports maximum 5 folder pairs.
Bridges were sometimes built in pairs.

Alternatives:

multiple sets of two items
several sets of pairs
numerous pairs
various pairs

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