"Three pair" vs. "three pairs"
-
Which one is more grammatically correct: "three pairs of shoes" or "three pair of shoes"?
-
Answer:
It depends on who you ask. From the http://books.google.com/books?id=L2ChiO2yEZ0C&pg=PA315&dq=%22three%20pair%20of%20shoes%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=5sIoUpfXBKmwsASy1oDwBQ&ved=0CEgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22three%20pair%20of%20shoes%22&f=false by K.G. Wilson: Some commentators object to locutions such as three pair of shoes, arguing that the modifying number should force pair to be pairs. But at least in most Conversational and Informal use, three pair and four pair are appropriate. http://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=five%20pair%20of%20shoes,five%20pairs%20of%20shoes,four%20pair%20of%20pants,four%20pairs%20of%20pants&year_start=1970&year_end=2000&corpus=15&smoothing=3&share= show that both are in use, although three pairs is heavily favored. To me, three pair of shoes has an old-fashioned ring to it, but I wouldn't correct you if you said it.
user2378 at English Language Learners Visit the source
Other answers
As you're describing more than one pair of shoes, you should use the plural form of the noun: Three pairs of shoes. Though it's worth noting that if you're describing one pair, this would be correct: One pair of shoes. As even though there are multiple shoes involved, there's still just a singular pair. Some nouns have the same form in both the singular and the plural though. This is something you'll need to learn as you come across the particular words. Why have one sheep when you can have three sheep?
Richard Williams
Related Q & A:
- What’s the difference in meaning between the following pairs of words?Best solution by Yahoo! Answers
- IT vs. MIS vs. Computer Science?
- Plasma tv vs. lcd vs. led.Best solution by Yahoo! Answers
- What sibling pairs are the best?
- College prep vs. honors and college prep vs. AP?Best solution by Quora
Just Added Q & A:
- How many active mobile subscribers are there in China?Best solution by Quora
- How to find the right vacation?Best solution by bookit.com
- How To Make Your Own Primer?Best solution by thekrazycouponlady.com
- How do you get the domain & range?Best solution by ChaCha
- How do you open pop up blockers?Best solution by Yahoo! Answers
For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.
-
Got an issue and looking for advice?
-
Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.
-
Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.
Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.