a couple of penalties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a couple of penalties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two or a few penalties in a specific context, such as sports or legal matters. Example: "The team received a couple of penalties during the game, which affected their performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

A couple of penalties can't make that much difference, can they?

The Guardian - Sport

I know we were undisciplined on a couple of penalties, but not to that tune".

The New York Times - Sports

He should have been rewarded when Ireland earned a couple of penalties inside Fiji's half.

The Guardian - Sport

Newcastle did very well, taught us a lesson, with a bit of a help from a couple of penalties.

Independent

It even won them a couple of penalties against New Zealand loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett for pulling it down.

The New York Times - Sports

Thomas Bell was able to tack on a couple of penalties and the Tigers were never in danger.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Sure, there were saves, and a couple of penalty shouts, but Barcelona did not play well.

The Guardian - Sport

Hughton had given him the responsibility after a couple of penalty misses this season by Glenn Murray.

The Guardian - Sport

Forest also had a couple of penalty claims of their own but Pearce did not focus on it afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

The combustible Ivorian, who had seen a couple of penalty appeals turned down, was not alone in radiating a sense of injustice.

The Guardian - Sport

It was more United's luck - hitting the woodwork twice, Herrera missing from point blank, a couple of penalty shouts that weren't given - than poor play that stopped them from winning the game.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language by using synonyms like "a few penalties" or "several penalties" to avoid repetition and add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of "a couple of penalties" unless they genuinely had a significant effect. Overstating their importance can undermine the credibility of your analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a couple of penalties" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "a couple" acts as a determiner specifying the quantity of "penalties". Ludwig examples show its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a couple of penalties" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to two penalties. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "a few penalties" or "two penalties" exist, "a couple of penalties" offers a blend of informality and precision suitable for various communication needs. The phrase's neutral register makes it versatile, while its impact is best understood by considering the context in which the penalties were incurred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Several penalties

Emphasizes more than two penalties were given.

A few penalties

Indicates a small number of penalties, slightly less specific than "a couple".

Two penalties

More direct and specific about the number of penalties.

A pair of penalties

Offers a slightly more formal or stylized way to say "two penalties".

Some penalties

Vague quantity, but still suggests multiple penalties.

Multiple penalties

Focuses on the fact that penalties occurred more than once.

A number of penalties

Indicates more than just a couple, but not an excessive amount.

Several incurred penalties

Highlights that the penalties were received or suffered.

A handful of penalties

Suggests a small number, similar to "a few", but slightly more informal.

A brace of penalties

A more archaic or literary way to say "two penalties".

FAQs

How can I use "a couple of penalties" in a sentence?

You can use "a couple of penalties" to describe a situation where a team or individual received two penalties. For example, "The team conceded "a couple of penalties" in the first half, putting them at a disadvantage".

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

Alternatives include "a few penalties", "several penalties", or "two penalties", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a couple of penalties" or "two penalties"?

Both "a couple of penalties" and "two penalties" are correct, but "a couple of penalties" is less formal. The choice depends on the context and your desired level of formality.

What is implied when someone says, "a couple of penalties"?

The phrase "a couple of penalties" implies that there were two penalties, suggesting a small but possibly impactful number. It’s less about the exact count and more about the effect those penalties had.