a couple of modification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a couple of modification" is not correct in English.
It should be "a couple of modifications" to be grammatically accurate. You can use it when referring to two or more changes or adjustments that need to be made to something. Example: "I have a couple of modifications to suggest for the project proposal to improve its clarity."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If you can't face starting out on an original project, however, Varrall suggests a couple of modification tasks.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

(Although there have been a couple of modifications to the system since it was introduced, in 1968, Valenti has always resisted change; he evidently does not want his creation to be tampered with).

The New Yorker

In this paper we tried a couple of modifications of the basic method and found some useful increases in accuracy but at the expense of speed.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

The name stuck, though a couple of further modifications followed.

The New York Times

Java's creators borrowed ideas from the widely-used language known as C, but made a couple of important modifications, like baking in better security features.

Forbes

Minus a couple of possible modifications of course, but you can find those in the "tips" section.

WikiHow

The proposed method may easily be implemented on a commercial BPM system by plugging in a couple of software modules (no internal modification of the BPM system is required).

Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory

A couple of research groups have worked on the modification of existing biosynthetic pathways, while others tried to introduce biological pathways into the model microbes.

Biotechnology Advances

In pre-clinical in vitro studies, acute hypoxia was consistently shown to increase FDG uptake by normal and tumour cells within a couple of hours after onset with mobilisation or modification of glucose transporters optimising glucose uptake, followed by a delayed response with increased rates of transcription of GLUT mRNA.

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

A couple of times when we called to inquire about the status of our modification application, we reached customer representatives in India and Panama!

Huffington Post

"A couple of crazies.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the plural form "modifications" after "a couple of" to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, say "I have a couple of modifications to suggest" not "I have a couple of modification to suggest".

Common error

Avoid using the singular form "modification" after quantifiers like "a couple of", "few", or "several". Always use the plural form to maintain grammatical accuracy. Example: "We need to make a couple of modifications" is correct, while "We need to make a couple of modification" is incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a couple of modification" attempts to function as a determiner phrase specifying a quantity of changes. However, it falters due to a grammatical error. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form is "a couple of modifications." The provided examples demonstrate usage in contexts requiring plural nouns.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a couple of modification" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "a couple of modifications". As Ludwig AI highlights, the use of the plural form "modifications" is essential after the quantifier "a couple of". Although the incorrect phrase appears across different sources, including news and scientific articles, adhering to proper grammar is crucial for clear and effective communication. Remember that alternatives like "a few changes" or "several adjustments" offer grammatically sound ways to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of modifications

Pluralizes "modification" to match the quantifier "couple," correcting the grammar.

a few changes

Replaces "couple of modification" with a more general term for multiple alterations.

a couple of adjustments

Substitutes "modification" with "adjustments," providing a slightly different nuance.

two alterations

Uses a more formal synonym, "alterations," and specifies the number.

several revisions

Implies a more thorough review and change process with "revisions."

some tweaks

Offers a more informal alternative, suggesting small, minor changes.

a pair of edits

Focuses on corrections or improvements with the word "edits."

a couple of refinements

Suggests making something finer or more polished using "refinements."

a handful of updates

Implies newer or more current changes with "updates."

two adaptations

Highlights the act of adjusting to specific conditions with "adaptations."

FAQs

How do I correctly use the phrase "a couple of modifications" in a sentence?

The phrase "a couple of modifications" refers to two or more changes or adjustments. For example, "I suggest "a couple of modifications" to the design to improve its usability".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a couple of modification"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""a couple of modifications"" because "couple" implies more than one, requiring the plural form of the noun.

What are some alternatives to saying "a couple of modifications"?

Alternatives include "a few changes", "several adjustments", or "some revisions", depending on the specific context and the extent of the changes.

What's the difference between "a couple of modification" and ""a couple of modifications""?

The phrase "a couple of modification" is grammatically incorrect, while ""a couple of modifications"" is the correct form. The latter uses the plural "modifications" to agree with the quantifier "couple", which means two or a few.