a couple instances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a couple instances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of occurrences or examples of something. Example: "There were a couple instances where the project faced unexpected challenges, but we managed to overcome them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I saw this in my time in Green Bay in a couple instances with Brett Favre.

Huffington Post

I had a couple instances of where I got thrown out of class by teachers.

Huffington Post

The result is an engrossing — in a couple instances, just gross — show that considers our mass/social media-fueled world from unsettling angles.

Los Angeles Times

I never did sue anyone, certainly not the ACLU, for flagrantly using freedom of expression without permission, though there were a couple instances when I strategically targeted an "infringer" with a Cease and Desist letter.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In a couple of instances, maybe.

The Economist

I felt there were a couple of instances of that.

The New Yorker

There were only a couple of instances of racism.

The Guardian - Arts

"We've exceeded the recommendations in a couple of instances, but not a great number".

The New York Times

Drew said he knew of a "couple of instances" of violence involving new entrants.

The Guardian

"Did Doug advocate and try to lobby in a couple of instances?" Mr. Lopez asked.

The New York Times

I've had a couple of instances where he got out and put me at risk".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a couple instances" to indicate a small, non-specific number of occurrences. It's suitable for contexts where the exact count isn't important, but you want to convey that it happened more than once.

Common error

While "a couple instances" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. More precise terms like "several cases" or "a few examples" might be more appropriate to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a couple instances" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, indicating a small, indefinite quantity. It is used to denote that something has occurred more than once, but not a large number of times. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

18%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a couple instances" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to denote a small number of occurrences or examples. According to Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for general use, particularly in news and media contexts. While not inherently formal, it may be less appropriate for highly academic or scientific writing, where more precise language is often preferred. Alternatives like "a few occurrences" or "several situations" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. As showcased by Ludwig's examples, this phrase is widely adopted and understood in various professional settings, adding clarity without unnecessary complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of examples

Replaces "instances" with "examples", highlighting the illustrative nature of the events being referred to.

a few occurrences

Replaces "couple" with "few", indicating a slightly less precise quantity but maintaining the meaning of a small number of events.

on a couple of occasions

Adds "on" and replaces "instances" with "occasions", making the phrase slightly more formal and emphasizing the specific timing of the events.

a few cases

Uses "cases" instead of "instances", implying a more formal or legalistic context.

several situations

Substitutes "instances" with "situations", shifting the focus to the broader context surrounding the events.

in some situations

Uses "some situations" indicating that the phrase can be used in different scenarios.

in a few situations

A more formal alternative of "some situations"

a handful of times

Employs a more informal expression, "handful of times", to suggest a small number of repetitions.

a limited number of times

Replaces "couple" with "limited number" to imply the events have low possibility to occur often.

in isolated cases

Replaces the complete query with an expression that better highlight how rare the events are.

FAQs

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

You can use "a couple instances" to refer to a small number of times something has happened. For example, "There were "a couple instances" where the system crashed unexpectedly.".

What are some alternatives to "a couple instances"?

Alternatives include "a few occurrences", "several situations", or "a handful of times", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "a couple instances" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a couple instances" might be considered less formal. In formal writing, consider using "a few cases" or "several examples" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "a couple instances" and "a few instances"?

The difference is subtle. "A couple instances" typically implies exactly two, while "a few instances" suggests a small number greater than two but not many.