a couple dozen

USAGE SUMMARY

"a couple dozen" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean a few or a small amount of a certain object. For example: "I only need a couple dozen eggs for this recipe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I've been on a couple dozen times.

The New York Times

A couple dozen people crowded the room.

The New Yorker

The Ford camp prevailed by a couple dozen votes.

The New York Times

Today, maybe a couple dozen fishermen work full-time.

The New York Times

A couple dozen families have lost loved ones.

The New York Times

"A couple dozen duels were fought there," he said.

The New York Times

In between songs, perhaps a couple dozen words were spoken.

The New York Times - Arts

A couple dozen of us would discuss problem after problem, arguing about solutions.

The New York Times

Haskins started it & since then a couple dozen other labs have imitated it.

The New Yorker

So a couple dozen mining companies are now trying out a sexier business: weed.

The New Yorker

"Small race, with only a couple dozen runners," a post there said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a couple dozen", consider your audience and the context. While widely understood, it may be less appropriate in highly formal or technical writing where precise numbers are preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "a couple dozen" to describe quantities that are clearly less than 20 or significantly more than 30. If you need to specify an amount outside of this approximate range, opt for more precise language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a couple dozen" functions as a quantifier, specifying an approximate quantity of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common and acceptable way to express a number around 24, used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

18%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a couple dozen" is a commonly used phrase to express an approximate quantity of around 24. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. While versatile, it's best suited for contexts where precision is not paramount. As seen in examples from The New York Times, The New Yorker, and other reputable sources, it appears frequently in news, media, and everyday communication. For more formal or technical writing, specifying the exact number is advisable. Use it to indicate something between 20 and 30 in number while avoiding misinterpretations with quantities drastically different. Understanding the implicit estimation is key to wielding the phrase correctly, enhancing both clarity and contextual appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

around two dozen

Specifies the approximate number, making the quantity less precise.

approximately two dozen

Adds emphasis to the estimation of the quantity.

about two dozen

Indicates an estimate, similar to 'around' or 'approximately'.

roughly two dozen

Emphasizes that the number is an estimation.

some two dozen

Replaces 'a couple' with 'some', indicating an indefinite quantity.

twenty-ish

An informal way to say approximately twenty.

two dozen or so

Adds 'or so' to indicate the number is not exact.

a few sets of twelve

Breaks down the quantity into smaller units, providing a slightly different perspective.

several sets of twelve

Increases the vagueness of the quantity.

a score and a bit

An older expression using a 'score' (twenty) to indicate the quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a couple dozen" to describe a quantity that's around 24. For instance, "I bought "a couple dozen" eggs for baking" or "A couple dozen people attended the meeting."

What phrases are similar to "a couple dozen"?

Similar phrases include "around two dozen", "approximately two dozen", or "about two dozen". These all indicate a quantity of roughly 24.

Is "a couple dozen" formal or informal?

"A couple dozen" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, it's better to use a precise number like "approximately 24" or "about two dozen".

When is it inappropriate to use "a couple dozen"?

It's inappropriate to use "a couple dozen" when you need to provide a very precise number. In technical or scientific writing, for example, always specify exact quantities.