a couple of pointers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a couple of pointers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to provide a few helpful tips or pieces of advice on a particular topic. Example: "Before you start your presentation, here are a couple of pointers to keep in mind for better engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

A couple of pointers.

The New York Times

After Roddick's third-round departure against Goran Ivanisevic on Friday, Agassi had a couple of pointers for him.

The New York Times - Sports

A couple of pointers: Don't cook the escarole too long; it'll be tender in 10 or 15 minutes.

The New York Times

"There are a couple of pointers," said Mr. Mohit, who admitted that he spent most of his nonschool time at Danny's Cycles in Scarsdale, where he learned to repair, fit and recondition bikes.

The New York Times

When you're shooting your footage there are a couple of pointers worth knowing, says Cockle: Keep the camera still – moving it around is a sure way to make your viewers feel nauseous.

The Guardian

Now, with a spate of new reissues finally pinning hillbilly jazz down so we can get to listen to it, it's possible that we, feeling our way through the waning of the rock era, might be able to pick up a couple of pointers as well about making music that can be pop and art, rootsy and new, fun and challenging.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

So often I spot a promising story and wish I could give the writer just a couple of simple pointers that would take their writing above the competition.

The Guardian

As the seconds tick down, your player moves further from the basket, so you'll need to minutely adjust your tapping speed – if you're skilful enough you'll be able to get in a couple of three pointers before the clock runs down.

The Guardian - Tech

Anything more than a couple of basic pointers sends a message to users that this app is complex, it's complicated, and now I need to hold your hand while you learn to use it.

TechCrunch

Kidd drilled a couple of 3-pointers early to keep the Thunder honest.

The New York Times - Sports

Mullin cranked up a couple of 3-pointers, a few jumpers.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering "a couple of pointers", ensure they are concise and directly relevant to the topic at hand. This maintains clarity and prevents overwhelming the audience with excessive information.

Common error

Avoid turning "a couple of pointers" into a lengthy list. Stick to the most crucial advice to maintain focus and impact. If you give more than 2, consider rephrasing to "some tips".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a couple of pointers" functions as an introductory phrase. It signals the forthcoming presentation of two specific pieces of advice or suggestions. As shown by Ludwig AI, the expression is commonly used in writing to preface recommendations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

25%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a couple of pointers" is a commonly used phrase to introduce a small number of helpful tips or advice. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news and media, as well as wiki sources. While alternatives like "a few tips" or "some advice" can be used, "a couple of pointers" specifically indicates that two key pieces of guidance will be provided. Ensure that the pointers are concise and directly relevant to maintain clarity. Overloading your audience with too much advice goes against the intent of offering a 'couple' of pointers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few tips

Emphasizes providing a small number of helpful suggestions.

some advice

Offers general guidance, suitable for various contexts.

several recommendations

Suggests a more formal and structured set of proposals.

a handful of suggestions

Implies a small, manageable number of ideas.

some guidelines

Focuses on providing rules or principles for a specific task.

a number of insights

Highlights valuable observations or understandings.

a couple of ideas

Suggests offering a few potential solutions or concepts.

some helpful hints

Focuses on providing quick and practical advice.

several key points

Highlights important aspects or considerations.

a bit of guidance

Offers general support and direction.

FAQs

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

You can use "a couple of pointers" to introduce some quick advice or tips on a specific topic. For example, "Here are a couple of pointers to help you improve your writing skills."

What are some alternatives to "a couple of pointers"?

You can use alternatives like "a few tips", "some advice", or "several recommendations" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a couple of pointers" or "some pointers"?

"A couple of pointers" specifies that you have two specific pieces of advice to offer, while "some pointers" implies a more general, unspecified number. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual number of tips you're providing.

When is it appropriate to use "a couple of pointers"?

It's appropriate when you want to offer a small number of helpful and concise tips or pieces of advice. It's suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts where direct guidance is needed.