a couple of questions

USAGE SUMMARY

'a couple of questions' is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that the speaker plans to ask two questions. For example: "I just have a couple of questions before we wrap up the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But so did a couple of questions.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

These are but a couple of questions.

The New Yorker

Asked a couple of questions.

The New York Times

The switch raises a couple of questions.

The New York Times

A couple of questions in passing.

The Guardian - Tech

"I have a couple of questions".

The New York Times - Magazine

This leads to a couple of questions.

The Guardian - Music

This raises a couple of questions.

The Guardian - Sport

The timing of these spinoffs raises a couple of questions.

The New York Times

So with that, let me take a couple of questions.

The New York Times

She takes a couple of questions from the people there.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a couple of questions" to politely introduce a small number of inquiries, typically two, but sometimes used loosely to mean 'a few'. It's suitable for both formal and informal settings.

Common error

Avoid relying on "a couple of questions" when you have significantly more than two questions. If you have several inquiries, consider using phrases like "a few questions" or "several questions" for better accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a couple of questions" typically functions as a noun phrase. It introduces the intention to ask a small number of questions. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to politely transition into an inquiry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a couple of questions" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to introduce a small number of inquiries. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, most frequently in News & Media. While generally neutral, consider the context and audience to ensure the tone is appropriate. Be mindful not to overuse it when more than a few questions are intended. Alternatives like "a few questions" or "several questions" can offer greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few questions

Replaces "couple" with "few", indicating a small, unspecified number of questions.

just a couple of questions

Adds "just" to soften the request and imply brevity.

several questions

Substitutes "couple" with "several", suggesting a slightly larger but still limited number of questions.

a handful of questions

Uses "handful" to convey a small, manageable number of questions.

two or three questions

Provides a more precise range for the number of questions.

a limited number of questions

Emphasizes the restricted quantity of questions.

some questions

Offers a more general way to indicate the presence of questions without specifying the exact quantity.

a couple of inquiries

Replaces "questions" with "inquiries", providing a more formal tone.

a few points for clarification

Frames the questions as requests for clarification.

a couple of queries

Uses "queries" as a synonym for "questions", suitable for formal contexts.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a couple of questions"?

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

Is it always exactly two when I say "a couple of questions"?

While "couple" typically refers to two, "a couple of questions" can sometimes be used loosely to mean a small, indefinite number, generally understood to be no more than three or four.

How formal is the phrase "a couple of questions"?

The phrase "a couple of questions" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings without sounding out of place. For a more formal tone, consider using "a couple of inquiries".

Can I use "a couple of questions" in academic writing?

Yes, "a couple of questions" is acceptable in academic writing, particularly when directly addressing the reader or presenting a discussion. However, maintain formality by ensuring your overall tone and word choice are appropriate.