pairing
pairing — noun
1. a set whose members are exactly two — typically two persons, animals, or objects
a set whose members are exactly two — typically two persons, animals, or objects — chosen because they suit each other; also, the action of choosing or arranging such a set.
The pairing of dark chocolate and red wine is a favourite at Élise's dinner parties.
collocation: pairing of [food/drink] and [food/drink]
Critics praised the pairing of the two lead actors in Diego's new film.
common context: pairing of two performers in entertainment
The pairing of Roya and Eli as doubles partners produced three tournament wins this season.
Aarav suggested an unusual pairing of spicy curry with sweet mango lassi.
The coach announced the pairing for tomorrow's mixed-doubles match after lunch.
- combination
broader; can mean any number of items joined, not strictly two
- match
stresses that the two fit well together; often used of people in relationships or sports
- duo
informal; usually refers to the two people themselves as a unit, not the act of grouping them
文法句型
pairing of [X] and [Y]
pairing between [X] and [Y]
用法筆記
Often used for food and drink combinations (wine pairing, cheese pairing), for performers cast together, or for partners assigned to work as a unit. Frequently followed by 'of X and Y' or 'between X and Y'.
常見錯誤
pairing — verb
1. the act of placing two people or two things together as a set, usually because t
the act of placing two people or two things together as a set, usually because they go well together or because the activity requires two.
The teacher spent ten minutes pairing the students for the speaking exercise.
common context: a teacher pairing learners for an activity
Sirin is in charge of pairing each guest with a name badge before the wedding reception.
pattern: pairing [person] with [item/person]
Yumi enjoys pairing bold prints with simple denim when she dresses for work.
The sommelier began pairing each course with a different wine from the cellar.
- separating
the opposite act: dividing the two people or things apart
文法句型
pairing [X] with [Y]
pairing students/items in groups of two
用法筆記
This is the -ing form used as a noun-like action (gerund) or in continuous tenses of the verb 'pair'. The doer chooses or arranges the grouping; the object is usually the people or things being placed together.
常見錯誤
2. the act of joining another person or thing to make a group of two, often by choi
the act of joining another person or thing to make a group of two, often by choice rather than by being placed.
Tariro and Matthew ended up pairing for the cooking challenge after their first partners dropped out.
pattern: [people] pairing for [activity]
Two of the older swans were pairing in the early spring, building a nest by the lake.
context: animals pairing during a mating season
Lan ended up pairing with a stranger when the dance instructor counted the class into twos.
Several startups are pairing with universities for this year's clean-energy projects.
- teaming up
informal; common for cooperative tasks or projects
- joining up
broader; can mean joining a group of any size
- mating
specifically biological; used of animals forming a reproductive pair
- splitting up
informal; the two people or animals separating from the pair
文法句型
pairing with [someone]
pairing up for [activity]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: here the subject is the one(s) joining up, not the one arranging others. Distinguish also from sense 1 by transitivity: this sense takes no direct object. Often appears with 'up' as 'pairing up'.