A couple of errors

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A couple of errors" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a small number of mistakes or inaccuracies in a text or situation. Example: "After reviewing the document, I found a couple of errors that need to be corrected before submission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A couple of errors crept into our special report on Vietnam (April 26th).

The Economist

A couple of errors to follow, then another decent serve levels it up at 30-all and a rally follows in which Tomic finds the net.

The Guardian - Sport

A couple of errors and key decisions went against us meant that all we did was defend our own line and, to Castleford's credit, they were good enough to score with seconds to go.

BBC

Panchanathan made a couple of errors.

The New York Times

We also point out a couple of errors in the literature.

Artificial Intelligence

It's back to 40-30 thongh, on a couple of errors as Tomic continues to force the pace a bit on the ground.

The Guardian - Sport

They made a couple of errors, Jorge Posada made a horrendous base-running mistake and the bullpen turned a one-run deficit into a four-run crevice.

The New York Times - Sports

"They started enthusiastically, we didn't come out of the blocks as well as they did and there were a couple of errors from blokes you'd normally count on".

The Guardian - Sport

After the call, Roddick won two points but also committed a couple of errors and wound up being broken for the match.

The Guardian - Sport

We just made a couple of errors which they punished and they put their foot on our throat and it did for us".

The Guardian - Sport

United's start was sloppy with the right-back, Matteo Darmian, guilty of a couple of errors and he needed De Gea to bail him out.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a couple of errors" when you want to indicate a small, often insignificant, number of mistakes. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While versatile, avoid relying too heavily on "a couple of errors" in highly formal or critical documents. Opt for more precise or nuanced language like "a limited number of inaccuracies" for greater impact and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a couple of errors" functions as a quantifier followed by a noun. It specifies a small quantity of mistakes or inaccuracies. Ludwig AI confirms its wide use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a couple of errors" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote a small number of mistakes. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is widely used across varied sources. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and opt for more precise language in highly formal settings. The phrase is particularly prevalent in news and media, offering a neutral tone when acknowledging minor inaccuracies. For alternative phrasings, consider options like "a few mistakes" or "some errors", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A few mistakes

Uses "mistakes" instead of "errors", implying a potentially less formal context.

Some errors

Replaces "couple" with "some", indicating a general, unspecified quantity of errors.

A small number of errors

More formal and explicitly quantifies the errors, emphasizing the limited extent.

Two mistakes

Specifies the exact number of mistakes, offering greater precision.

Several inaccuracies

Replaces "errors" with "inaccuracies", suggesting a focus on factual correctness rather than simple mistakes.

A handful of errors

Uses a more informal and figurative expression to indicate a small quantity.

Minor errors

Emphasizes the insignificance of the errors rather than their quantity.

A limited number of errors

Highlights that mistakes were not abundant.

Some slip-ups

Replaces "errors" with "slip-ups", which suggests minor, unintentional mistakes.

A brace of errors

More formal or archaic way of describing a small quantity of errors.

FAQs

How can I use "a couple of errors" in a sentence?

You can use "a couple of errors" to indicate a small number of mistakes or inaccuracies. For example, "The report had "a couple of errors" that needed correction."

What are some alternatives to "a couple of errors"?

You can use alternatives like "a few mistakes", "some errors", or "several inaccuracies" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a couple of errors" or "two errors"?

While both are correct, "two errors" is more precise. "A couple of errors" is slightly less formal and implies an approximate number.

What's the difference between "a couple of errors" and "a series of errors"?

"A couple of errors" indicates a small number, while "a series of errors" suggests a larger, more significant set of mistakes.