The words ‘couple‘ and ‘pair’ and ‘once’ or ‘twice’ can often be confusing for English learners. So here are some examples to help you and then see if you can use the correct words in the Exercise.
Once, twice, thrice
Once – adverb = one time
I have been to Las Vegas only once
Twice – adverb = two times
I have bought the coffees twice already, it is your tune to pay
Thrice – adverb = three times (Old English)
In 1850 they were hit thrice with a leather belt
Couple vs pair
Couple – noun = partners, two people, or two people in a relationship
They are a couple, not friends
The couple danced together
The couple married in a small church
Couple – noun = a grouping of two
A couple of books, a couple of chairs, a couple
Couple – noun = more than one but not many,; a few
It is a couple of miles away
I saw him a couple of days ago
Pair – noun = a set; two things that are the same or similar or correspond to each other
A pair of scissors, socks, gloves, trousers, shoes
Exercise:
- Could you pass me a _____________ of biscuits. I’m hungry
- Ah how cute don’t they make a cute ___________?
- I only have a _____________ of quid. Can you pay this _______?
- I’ve only swam in the see a ______________ of times. It’s too cold for me
- I have been to London ___________. The first time in winter, the second in summer
- I have already told her to do it ___________.
- I need a new __________ of sport shoes
- Ok I can wait a _____________ of days for your report
- Can I have a __________ of beers please?
- We met a __________ of years ago and have moved ____________, into a flat and then into a house and now we are a married ____________