a couple of pages back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a couple of pages back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to information or content that was mentioned a few pages earlier in a document or book. Example: "As I mentioned a couple of pages back, the results of the study indicate a significant trend."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Can you remember what you've read a couple of pages back?

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

'I just wanted to meet them,' he says, 'because I'd grown up watching them on TV and I was really big fans of both of them.' The three of them talked for about an hour, after which he went outside and tried to learn a couple of pages, came back in and auditioned.

The Guardian - Film

And the dates of each might appear along with the illustration instead of being confined to a couple of pages in the back.

The New York Times - Books

And of course, if anything can happen – if people can die one minute and come back to life a couple of pages later – then catastrophes such as death lose a lot of their currency.

The Guardian - Books

They're a couple of pages.

Yale University

A couple of pages are devoted to her migraines.

The New York Times - Books

"At least write a couple of pages, three pages," said Jon O. Newman, a judge on the Second Circuit.

The New York Times

There are 26 essays, some of only a couple of pages, some rather longer.

The New York Times - Books

But there are just a couple of pages on the Calatrava projects".

The New York Times - Arts

Wilson mentions mobile gas vans and mass shootings; the extermination camps get a couple of pages.

The New York Times - Books

The story is only a couple of pages long in the magazine.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic or formal writing, consider using more precise language such as "as discussed in Section 2.1" instead of "a couple of pages back" for improved clarity.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on phrases like "a couple of pages back" without providing specific context. If the document is lengthy or complex, readers may have difficulty locating the referenced information. Instead, provide clear signposts or section references for better navigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a couple of pages back" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating where something was previously mentioned or discussed in a text. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a couple of pages back" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to refer to earlier content within a document. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it's best suited for informal or neutral contexts, such as news articles or general writing. In formal or academic settings, precise references like section numbers or citations are preferable. When using this phrase, clarity is key; avoid vagueness by ensuring the reference is easily located by the reader. Alternatives include "a few pages ago" or "earlier in the text", offering similar but slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few pages ago

Replaces "couple" with "few", indicating a slightly less precise number of pages.

several pages earlier

Uses "several" to suggest more than two pages and "earlier" to emphasize the temporal aspect of the reference.

some pages back

Employs "some" for a less specific quantity and maintains the "back" reference.

a couple of pages before

Substitutes "back" with "before", altering the directionality of the reference slightly.

two or three pages back

Provides a more explicit range for the number of pages.

in the preceding pages

Formal and emphasizes the pages immediately before the current one.

a short while back in the text

Expands the reference to include the broader context of the text.

previously in the document

Generalizes the reference beyond pages to the entire document.

in earlier sections

Focuses on sections rather than pages, offering a broader structural reference.

a bit further up

Informal and spatially oriented, suggesting a position higher up in the document.

FAQs

How can I use "a couple of pages back" in a sentence?

You can use "a couple of pages back" to refer to information previously mentioned in a document. For example, "As I mentioned "a couple of pages back", the data supports our hypothesis."

What is a more formal alternative to "a couple of pages back"?

For formal writing, consider alternatives like "as previously stated" or "in the preceding section" instead of ""a couple of pages back"" for greater precision and clarity.

Is "a couple of pages back" suitable for academic writing?

While ""a couple of pages back"" is grammatically correct, academic writing often benefits from more specific references. Using section numbers or direct citations can enhance clarity and credibility.

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a couple of pages back"?

Similar phrases include "a few pages ago", "earlier in the text", and "in the preceding pages", which all refer to content located in an earlier part of a document.