pairs
High (B1)Neutral (Used across all registers)
Definition
Meaning
Two similar or identical things that are associated together or used as a unit.
1. As a noun: Two people or things related in function or position (e.g., a pair of shoes, a pair of dancers). 2. As a verb (third person singular): To join or arrange things in twos; to match or couple.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun 'pairs' is the plural of 'pair.' It inherently implies a set of two. When referring to items like trousers or scissors, 'a pair' is singular but refers to a single object made of two connected parts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The verb 'to pair' is used identically. Minor differences exist in collocation frequency (e.g., 'pairs skating' vs. 'figure skating pairs').
Connotations
None specific.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP pairs with NP (The wine pairs with cheese)NP pairs NP with NP (She pairs the socks)NP is/are paired (The students were paired)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pair off”
- “pair up”
- “in pairs”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to paired data analysis, partnership agreements, or product bundles (e.g., 'sold in pairs').
Academic
Used in mathematics (ordered pairs), biology (chromosome pairs), and statistics (paired samples t-test).
Everyday
Common for clothing, accessories, and organising people or objects.
Technical
In computing (key-value pairs), electronics (transistor pairs), and sports (doubles/pairs events).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The teacher pairs the new students with mentors.
- This cheese pairs wonderfully with a crisp chutney.
American English
- The app automatically pairs your phone with the speaker.
- The chef pairs the steak with roasted vegetables.
adjective
British English
- They watched the pairs skating final.
- The pairs event starts at three.
American English
- She competes in pairs figure skating.
- They won the pairs competition.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I need two pairs of socks.
- The children worked in pairs.
- These shoes are sold in pairs.
- Can you pair the students for the activity?
- The researcher analysed the data using paired samples.
- The wine's acidity pairs perfectly with the fatty fish.
- The dance comprised intricate sequences performed by several pairs.
- The treaty created strategic pairs of allied nations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine two PEARS hanging together on a branch – they form a PAIR. 'Pairs' sounds like 'pears'.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNITY/COMPLETION (Two halves making a whole), PARTNERSHIP (Collaborative function).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'pairs' for a 'couple' (romantic partnership), where 'пара' is ambiguous. 'A couple of' often means 'a few,' not strictly two. 'Pair' for trousers/scissors requires understanding of singular/plural agreement in English.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'a pairs' (incorrect: should be 'a pair' or 'pairs').
- Treating 'pairs' as singular (e.g., 'This pairs is...' instead of 'These pairs are...').
- Confusing 'pair' (two) with 'pear' (fruit) in writing.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'pairs' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically singular ('This pair is...') but can take a plural verb in British English when referring to people ('The pair are...').
'Pair' strongly implies two matching or functionally linked items. 'Couple' can mean two, but often means 'a few' (e.g., a couple of days). For people, 'couple' often implies a romantic relationship.
Yes. 'To pair' means to put two things together as a pair or to match them (e.g., 'Pair the wine with cheese'). The third person singular is 'pairs' (e.g., 'She pairs them up').
In both UK (/eə/) and US (/e/) English, it sounds like the 'air' in 'chair' or the 'are' in 'care.' The 's' is pronounced /z/.