Understanding the Difference: Pair, Pare, and Pear

English has many words that sound the same but mean different things. “Pair,” “pare,” and “pear” are three of these words. Let’s learn what each word means and how to use them.

The Word “Pair”

A “pair” means two things that go together. This word comes from the Latin word “par,” which means equal. We use “pair” when talking about two items seen as one set. Here are some ways to use the word “pair”:

• I have a pair of shoes.
• He bought a new pair of socks.
• They are a pair of good friends.
• The pair of scissors is sharp.
• This pair of glasses helps me see better.

The Word “Pare”

“Pare” means to cut away the outer part of something. It comes from the Latin word “parare,” meaning to make ready. “Pare” is often used when talking about fruits or vegetables. Here are some examples:

• Please pare the apple before you eat it.
• She is paring the potatoes for dinner.
• I need to pare down the list to just five people.
• He pared the wood to make it smooth.
• They want to pare the budget by cutting out waste.

The Word “Pear”

A “pear” is a type of fruit. The word comes from the Old English word “pere,” which is derived from Latin. Pears are sweet and shape like a fat bell. Here are some sentences using “pear”:

• I like to eat a pear for a snack.
• She made pear pie for dessert.
• The pear was juicy and sweet.
• We picked pears from the tree yesterday.
• He put a pear in his lunchbox.

Tricks to Remember

• Think of “pair” as “a pair of pants” because pants come in twos, like the two legs.
• Imagine “pare” with a “knife” to remember it means to cut something.
• Picture a “pear” fruit to avoid mixing it with the other words.

Summary

“Pair” means two things together. “Pare” means to cut away the outside of something. “Pear” is a type of fruit. They sound the same but have different meanings. Remember these words by thinking of their unique associations.