ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pairs

n. countable
A1 Beginner US //ˈpɛɹz// UK //pˈeəz// pairs

n. two things of the same kind that you use together. You also use this word for single items made of two parts, like glasses or trousers.

n. sets of two things used together or regarded as a unit. Often used for single items consisting of two joined parts that function as one.


SIMPLE

I need to buy two new pairs of socks.

CONTEXTUAL

The children lined up in pairs before walking into the museum for their guided tour.

COMPLEX

The study observed how different pairs of twins reacted to the same environmental stimuli over a period of six months.

Synonyms
Usage

When referring to single items like scissors or pants, it is always used with 'of' and treated as a plural unit.

Pitfall

a scissorsa pair of scissorsFor items made of two parts, learners often forget to use 'a pair of' and instead use the indefinite article directly with the plural noun.

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