a pair of new glasses va a new pair of glasses

Well, a "pair of new glasses" is much more likely to refer two new matching drinking aides than to newly acquired eyewear. That's about it, I think.

I'm with Rufio, and welcome aboard, BMO!

Thanks, appreciate.

The term "a pair of glasses" is less common in spoken English than simply "glasses" or "eyeglasses". The term "spectacles" is far less common and is probably moving toward becoming obsolete.

To me, a pair of new glasses intimates a new strength or prescription while a new pair of glasses points to a duplicate pair with the same strength. I dunno. Just me.

Re: a pair of new glasses va a new pair of glasses


"A new pair of glasses": would mean one pair of glasses, bought new.

"A pair of new glasses": There were actually two different (?) pairs of glasses which were bought. For example, one pair of untinted distance glasses and one pair of tinted distance glasses.

Thanks a lot. It seems strange the latter means two pairs.

The "pair" in a pair of eye glasses refers to the two optical lenses found in the glasses, one for each eye.

Understood, but why " a new pair of glasses" would mean one pair (2 lenses), whereas "a pair of new glasses" would mean 2 pairs (4 lenses)?