work in pairs

Meaning

This phrase means to collaborate or complete a task with one other person. It is a very common instruction given by teachers or facilitators to organize students into groups of two for discussions, activities, or projects.

Examples

• For the next activity, I want you to work in pairs.

  For the next activity, I want you to work in pairs.

• We had to work in pairs to complete the chemistry lab.

  We had to work in pairs to complete the chemistry lab.

• Do you want to work in pairs, or should we work individually?

  Do you want to work in pairs, or should we work individually?

• The students were instructed to work in pairs to practice the dialogue.

  The students were instructed to work in pairs to practice the dialogue.

• Working in pairs helps students share ideas and learn faster.

  Working in pairs helps students share ideas and learn faster.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We need to work in pair for this project.

  ✓ We need to work in pairs for this project.

  The plural form 'pairs' must be used because multiple groups of two are being formed in the class.

• ✗ The teacher told us to work in couples.

  ✓ The teacher told us to work in pairs.

  'Couples' usually refers to romantic partners. In an educational or professional setting, 'pairs' is the correct term.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The teacher asked us to ___ and discuss the story.

  💡 Collaborate in groups of two.

  Show answer

  work in pairs

• I prefer to ___ because it is easier to share the workload with one other classmate.

  💡 Team up with one other person.

  Show answer

  work in pairs