Binomial Pairs

Despite its obscure name, binomial pairs are all around us, and they help us sound (and be!) more natural when we speak. All languages have this type of set phrases that combine two words related for some usually very apparent reason.

Check out the list below and start applying them in your conversations:

• Lo bueno y lo malo
• El bien y el mal
• Blanco y negro
• Acá y allá
• De punta a punta
• Causa y efecto
• Cuestión de vida o muerte
• No saber si reír o llorar
• Tarde o temprano
• A lo largo y a lo ancho
• A todo o nada
• Más y mejor
• Cuerpo y alma
• Ajo y agua
• Jamón y queso
• Pan y vino
• Alto y claro
• Leer y escribir
• Dicho y hecho
• Sano y salvo
• Sal y pimienta
• Genio y figura
• Largo y tendido
• Pan y vino

You’ll probably find there are similar groupings like these in English.

Have fun, and thanks for stopping by.

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