Binomials in English

The first thing that comes in one’s mind when they here of binomials is mathematics. Usually, people think of binomials as only mathematics expression. It is somehow true, binomials are mathematics expressions, but they are not only used in maths. 

There are binomials in English too, which are often used by native English speakers. In this lesson, we will learn about binomials, which are used in English. 

Definition:

Bi means two, and nomials mean words or terms. Binomials are two-word expressions joined by conjunctions. Conjunctions commonly used to join these two words in binomials are ‘and’ or ‘or.’ Binomials are very helpful in learning English. Speakers often use it to sound more natural because they help you express a lot in just 3 words.

Order of binomials 

Binomials are also called binomial expressions or binomials pairs. Usually, the word order of binomials is fixed. One cannot alter them; otherwise, they sound strange to native speakers. Binomials whose word order is set are said to be irreversible.

One cannot easily understand how word order of binomials is fixed. So no worries here is a shortlist of binomials to understand that binomials are irreversible.

1. Break or make.
2. Rock and roll.
3. Do or die.
4. Mix and match.
5. Safe and sound.
6. More or less.

Such binomials are irreversible. It will sound too hilarious to a native speaker if you change the order. For example: if you say roll and rock, of course, this sounds very bad and doesn’t make sense. Likewise, you can’t say less or more, match and mix, die or do, etc.

Binomials categories:

Binomials can be split into five categories. Let’s see how.

1. Binomial pairs having conjunction and

 2. Binomial pairs having conjunction  or

 3. Binomial pairs with alliteration

 4. Rhyming binomial pairs

 5. Binomial pairs joined by other words.

 Let’s study these categories thoroughly and learn some examples too.

Binomials joined by ‘and.’

Safe and sound

Meaning: out of danger

Example: This place is safe and sound; you can stay here as long as you want.

Sick and tired

Meaning:  annoyed or irritated by something/ someone and no longer having patience for it.

Example: I am sick and tired of solving your problems every day, please stop creating new problems.

Loud and clear

Meaning: clear and easily understandable.

Example: Am I loud and clear to all of you?

Far and wide

Meaning: across a large area, over a great distance, almost everywhere.

Example: people travel far and wide in search of knowledge.

Ups and downs

Meaning: things are going right for a short time and then bad for a short time; alternatively.

Example: life has so many ups and downs.

Binomials joined by ‘or.’

Sooner or later

Meaning: eventually, something will happen; don’t know the exact time but in the near future.

Example: sooner or later, you will pay for what you have done to me.

More or less

Meaning: approximately; almost.

Example:  The shipment of your dress will take a week more or less.

Make or break

Meaning: between success or failure; nowhere between.

Example:  my upcoming exam is make or break for me. If I fail, I will have no chance of getting a degree this year too.

Rain or shine

Meaning:  under any circumstances, no matter what.

Example: the wedding will be tomorrow, rain or shine.

Give or take

Meaning: within some specified amount of time; a number plus or minus

Example: I will be right there at 6:00 pm, give or take 5 minutes.

Binomial pairs with alliteration

In some binomials, two words start with the same letter or same sound. This phenomenon is called alliteration.

Safe and sound

Meaning: out of danger

Example: I hope he will return back to us safe and sound.

Live and learn

Meaning: to learn something from life experience, which is surprising and unusual

Example: I left my keys on the table, and it was stolen. You live and learn, I thought.

Part and parcel 

Meaning:  An essential part of something else and must be included in it.

Example:  studying hard and managing time is part and parcel of being successful.

On and off

Meaning: inconsistent or occasional

Example: Ali attends class on and off.

Short and sweet 

Meaning: quick and short

Example: our study tour was quick and short.

Rhyming binomials

Rhyming binomials mean binomials with two words having the same sound.

Wine and dine 

Meaning: entertaining someone with exceptional food.

Example: I always wine and dine my guests.

Willy-nilly 

Meaning: without any planning or order 

Example:  we failed the presentation competition because we delivered it willy-nilly.

The hustle and bustle

Meaning: noisy activities done by people in the surrounding

Example: I need to move back to the old home town because of the hustle and bustle of this town.

Wear or tear

Meaning: damage in quality of something because of ordinary usage and age.

Example:  I bought my bike at 2000$, but because of the wear and tear I sold it at just 1000$.

Binomials joined by other words than conjunctions

Step by step

Meaning: In sequence

Example: Learn java step by step, it will be easy for you.

Back to front

Meaning: Back at the front and front at the back 

Example: you have worn pants, back to front. Remove it and turn it around.

Little by little

Meaning: less amount at a time.

Example:  I have earned money little by little to buy a house.

Conclusion:

In this lesson, you learned that binomials are a pair of two words joined by conjunctions. There are a lot of binomials. I have tried to mention as much as I could. Use binomials in your daily conversations to sound more and more natural.

Exercise:

Which of the pair of binomials is an example of alliteration binomials?

1. Back and forth.
2. Do’s and Don’ts.
3. Step by step. 
4. Pros and cons.

Choose the rhyming binomial.

1. Pros and cons. 
2. Little by little. 
3. Ups and downs. 
4. Far and wide.

Which of the binomials is in the correct order?

1. Roll and rock.
2. Downs and ups.
3. Off and on.
4. Skin and bones

Which of the following binomial is having the wrong conjunction?

1. Take it or leave it.
2. Sooner or later.
3. Sick and tired
4. Do and die.

Which of the resulting binomial need ‘or’ as conjunction?

1. On and off
2. More and less
3. By and large 
4. Odds and ends