The couple

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "The couple" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to two people who are in a romantic relationship or partnership. Example: "The couple decided to take a vacation together to celebrate their anniversary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The couple had words.

The New Yorker

The couple were stunned.

The New York Times

The couple blanched.

The New Yorker

The couple eventually divorced.

The New York Times

(The couple later married).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The couple is united.

The New Yorker

The couple pays nothing.

The New York Times

The couple fights.

The New York Times - Magazine

The couple also fought.

The New Yorker

The couple are separated.

Independent

The couple are waiting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a couple, ensure that you maintain consistent pronoun usage (e.g. "they", "them", "their") to avoid confusion. For example, "The couple celebrated their anniversary."

Common error

Avoid using singular pronouns when referring to "the couple". For example, instead of saying "The couple is planning his vacation", say "The couple is planning their vacation".

Linguistic Context

"The couple" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject of a sentence. It refers to two people, usually in a romantic or marital relationship. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts, such as "The couple had words" or "The couple is united". Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

11%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the couple" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to refer to two people in a relationship, typically a romantic one. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its frequent usage in news and media, as well as in encyclopedic and wiki contexts. The phrase functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject of a sentence. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it is important to maintain pronoun consistency (using "they", "them", "their") to avoid grammatical errors. Consider alternatives like "the pair" or "the duo" depending on the specific context. As a widely accepted phrase, "the couple" serves as a clear and neutral way to identify and describe two individuals united in a relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The pair

Focuses on the fact that there are two people involved, without necessarily implying a romantic relationship.

The duo

Similar to "The pair", emphasizing two individuals working together or associated with each other.

The twosome

Directly indicates a group of two people, often in a social context.

The spouses

Specifically refers to a married couple.

The partners

Can refer to a couple in a romantic relationship or in a business partnership.

The newlyweds

Refers specifically to a couple who have recently married.

The significant others

A broader term that refers to two people in a romantic relationship.

The dating pair

Specifies that the two people are in a dating relationship.

The betrothed

Describes a couple who are engaged to be married.

The domestic partners

Refers to a couple who live together and share a domestic life, without necessarily being married.

FAQs

How can I use "The couple" in a sentence?

"The couple" can be used as the subject of a sentence to refer to two people in a relationship, such as "The couple decided to buy a house together" or "The couple went on vacation".

What are some alternatives to using "The couple"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "the pair", "the duo", "the twosome", or, if you are talking about married people, you can use "the spouses".

Is it grammatically correct to use "The couple is" or "The couple are"?

In American English, "The couple is" is generally preferred, treating the couple as a single unit. In British English, "The couple are" might be used, emphasizing the individuals within the couple. However, "The couple is" is widely accepted.

When should I use "The couple" versus "The partners"?

"The couple" typically refers to two people in a romantic or marital relationship. "The partners" can be used more broadly to refer to people in a business relationship or any kind of partnership, not necessarily romantic.