1. dillseed

    dillseed Active Member

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    two pair or two pairs of socks?

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by dillseed, May 30, 2014.

    Which is grammatically correct to you—two pair of socks or two pairs of socks? I've looked this up and am finding conflicting answers/guidance.

    Thank you.
     
  2. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

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    Two pairs. I've never seen it the other way, and it doesn't even make sense to me.
     
  3. sunsplash

    sunsplash Bona fide beach bum

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    Pair is singular meaning two but when you get into multiples I'm almost sure you turn make it plural...two pairs. I think I'm pretty good with these things until you ask all of your questions and then I second guess everything, LOL!
     
  4. Patra Felino

    Patra Felino Active Member

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    The latter, definitely.

    The only time I've heard "two pair" is playing poker, so the only situation in which one might say "two pair of socks" is some rather convoluted version of strip poker.

    In conclusion, I personally hope to hear "two pair of socks" said in anger one day, but I'd go with "two pairs" for your current project if I were you.
     
  5. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

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    Haha. :rofl:
     
  6. Larissa Redeker

    Larissa Redeker Active Member

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    The good thing is that most languages have the same structure.

    I have one pair
    I have two pairs...

    Well, at least is it :)
     
  7. dillseed

    dillseed Active Member

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    TY
     

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