pair of

phraseA1Not compared — the two pools are counted one word at a time, so a phrase has no score

A pair of is how English counts things that come in twos. Shoes, gloves, socks.

The odd part is that it also counts single objects made of two joined halves, so a pair of trousers, a pair of scissors and a pair of glasses are each one thing. That construction has no logic left in it and simply has to be learned. It also counts people working together, so a pair of detectives, and animals, so a pair of swans, which mate for life.

Definitions of pair of

1phrasepair ofUsed before a noun to indicate two matching items or one two-part object.A1
“He bought a pair of boots in the sale.”

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pair of

phraseA1Not compared — the two pools are counted one word at a time, so a phrase has no score

A pair of is how English counts things that come in twos. Shoes, gloves, socks.

Definitions of pair of

1phrasepair ofUsed before a noun to indicate two matching items or one two-part object.A1
“He bought a pair of boots in the sale.”