A Good Pair of Shoes: Luxury or Necessity? Clarifying the Correct Usage
When discussing the phrase 'a good pair of shoes,' the correct grammatical usage often trips up even the most seasoned writers. Is it 'a good pair of shoes is' or 'a good pair of shoes are'? This article will help clarify the correct usage and explore the nuances of the English language that make it so challenging.
Understanding 'A Good Pair of Shoes'
The phrase 'a good pair of shoes' is an interesting case study in singular and plural nouns, and how they affect verb agreement. The word 'pair' is often considered a singular noun, despite it referring to two items. This is due to the way 'pair' functions in English. Referring to a pair as singular is supported by the Oxford English Dictionary, which lists 'pair' as a singular noun in phrases like 'a pair of shoes.'
Singular Usage: 'A Good Pair of Shoes Is a Luxury'
When discussing a single pair of shoes, the sentence 'A good pair of shoes is a luxury' is grammatically correct. Here, 'a good pair' is the subject, and 'is' is the singular verb that matches it. The part 'of shoes' merely describes the pair. For example:
"A good pair of shoes is a luxury."
Plural Usage: 'Two Good Pairs of Shoes Are a Luxury'
When you want to refer to more than one pair of shoes, the sentence changes. Here, 'two good pairs of shoes' is the subject, and 'are' is the plural verb that matches it. The structure of the sentence remains the same, with 'of shoes' describing the pairs. For example:
"Two good pairs of shoes are a luxury."
Singular vs. Plural Verb Agreement
This discrepancy can seem unusual because it involves a singular subject ('a good pair') and a plural verb ('are'). However, English often treats specific units or sets as singular, even if the total quantity is greater than one. This is why 'a pair' is treated as singular in these contexts.
Clarifying the Sentence with Other Examples
Let's consider similar examples to better understand the nuance. For instance:
"One dog is a luxury." (singular subject, singular verb)
"Two dogs are a luxury." (plural subject, plural verb)
"One dog is a necessity." (singular subject, singular verb)
"Two dogs are a necessity." (plural subject, plural verb)
These examples help illustrate that the singular or plural nature of the subject (i.e., 'one' or 'two') determines which form of the verb is used. This applies to 'pairs' as well. The key takeaway is that 'a good pair' refers to a single set, while 'two good pairs' refers to multiple sets.
Practical Application and Consistency
It’s important to note that while the correct usage can be pedantic, the practical application of this rule may vary. Many people use 'a good pair of shoes are' correctly and consistently in their writing, even if it is not strictly following grammatical rules. Both 'a good pair of shoes is a luxury' and 'two good pairs of shoes are a luxury' are correct, but 'a good pair of shoes is a luxury' adheres most closely to the rules of singular and plural nouns and verb agreement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the correct usage of 'a good pair of shoes' follows the rules of singular and plural nouns and verb agreement. 'A good pair of shoes is a luxury' is grammatically correct when discussing a single set of shoes, while 'two good pairs of shoes are a luxury' is correct when discussing multiple sets. Both are widely understood, but the former follows the strict rules of English grammar.