a couple of data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a couple of data" is not correct in standard written English.
The term "data" is typically treated as a plural noun in formal contexts, so it would be more appropriate to say "a couple of pieces of data" or "a couple of data points." Example: "In our analysis, we found a couple of pieces of data that support our hypothesis."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Hollywood is generalizing from a couple of data points.

The New York Times

A couple of data points suggest the Haggler's experience is no fluke.

The New York Times

It's hard to say that there's any one reason why AOL fell so much on this day, but there are a couple of data points to consider.

The New York Times

About 50 people work in Wego's Singapore offices, and he expects to add about 20 more marketing staff and a couple of data scientists to the headcount there.

TechCrunch

Wrapper induction specifically has been studied extensively, where users annotate a couple of data sources with examples of the data they want, after which a procedure (wrapper) is constructed that can optimally extract similar data as well.

Expert Systems with Applications

Sample modifications from DataSift include a Query Builder with pre-loaded queries, another where the filters are limited to a couple of data sources, and a third with altered animation.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Applications of these procedures for a real data set and for a couple of simulated data sets are provided.

Applied Mathematics and Computation

There are a couple of interesting data points that perhaps brands should heed as they collect customer data in the fashion outlined by Adobe.

TechCrunch

Although a couple of anecdotal data breaches within the NHS were mentioned, faith in the NHS itself seemed reasonably strong.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'd just like to add a couple of further data points.

The New York Times

"A couple of months' data, heavily influenced by a short-term spending hike due to the weakness of sterling, does not represent firm evidence that fears of economic damage were overblown," Sorrell said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to data, remember that it's often treated as plural. Use "data points" or "pieces of data" to maintain grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid treating "data" as singular when using quantifiers like "couple". Instead, use phrases like "a couple of pieces of data" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a couple of data" functions as a quantifier followed by a noun. However, it is grammatically incorrect because "data" is typically treated as a plural noun. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a couple of data" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal English. Ludwig AI suggests using alternatives like "a couple of pieces of data" or "a few data points" for better accuracy. While the phrase appears in some news and scientific sources, its infrequent usage and grammatical issues lower its overall quality. Remember to treat "data" as a plural noun and choose more precise quantifiers for improved clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few data points

Replaces 'couple' with 'few' and adds 'points' to correct the grammatical structure.

a couple of pieces of data

Adds "pieces of" to correctly quantify the non-count noun 'data'.

several data points

Uses 'several' for a slightly larger quantity, and specifies 'data points'.

a number of data points

Emphasizes an unspecified quantity greater than two, using 'data points'.

some data points

Offers a general, less precise quantity, specifying 'data points'.

a pair of data points

Emphasizes the 'two' aspect of a couple using different wording.

two data points

Directly states the quantity as two, adding 'points' for clarity.

a selection of data

Focuses on choosing a few items from a larger data set.

limited data

Emphasizes the small amount of data available.

certain data

Indicates specific but not necessarily numerous data elements.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "a couple of data" in a sentence?

While the phrase "a couple of data" is grammatically incorrect, you can use phrases like "a couple of "data points"" or "a couple of pieces of data" to express the same idea correctly.

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "a couple of data"?

Better alternatives include "a few "data points"", "a couple of pieces of data", or "some data", depending on the context.

Is it ever correct to say "a couple of data"?

In formal writing, it is generally not considered correct. "Data" is often treated as a plural noun, so it's better to use phrases that reflect this, such as "a couple of pieces of data".

What is the difference between "a couple of data" and "a couple of data points"?

"A couple of data" is grammatically incorrect, as "data" is typically treated as plural. "A couple of "data points"" is correct because it specifies individual, countable items of data.