How to Correctly Refer to Siblings Who Are Twins

phrase-usageword-choice

In a sentence where I want to refer to a twin siblings where I am not one of the twins, how should I phrase it?

Example 1

When you have  a  twin sisters, …

This comes to my mind first but it also sounds like I am one of the twins.

Example 2

When you have a pair of twin sisters, …

This sounds weird but it seems to more accurately distinguish myself from the twins.

Which is the more appropriate one? Or am I just overthinking it?

Best Answer

In terms of simple grammar, you first sentence has a mistake in it. It should be

When you have twin sisters, ...

'Sisters' is plural, so you do not use an indefinite article.

Once corrected, this clause implies quite clearly that you are not one of the twins.

Your second example is grammatically correct, but also needs to be corrected. 'Twins' are by definition 'a pair', so it is a tautology to say so.