a couple of reforms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a couple of reforms" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two or a few changes or improvements made to a system, policy, or practice. Example: "The government has proposed a couple of reforms to improve the healthcare system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That said, a couple of reforms are needed.

The New Yorker

He said the government had come up with "a couple" of reforms to improve freedom to help sway his vote but refused to name them, quipping: "If I told you what they were I would have to kill you immediately after".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

His policies helped the country weather a steep recession; he reined in public expenditure, got the country ready to join the euro in a couple of years, reformed the energy sector and tried to soften disputes with the neighbours.

The Economist

Despite a couple of bouts of reform and spurts of growth, India's economy has never achieved the momentum that has dragged much of East Asia out of poverty.

The Economist

No more feeble measures regarding this cartel there are a couple of half-baked reform bills floating around.

Forbes

After an 18-year hiatus, Bulldozer reformed a couple of years ago.

Vice

But the acclaim should be checked by a couple of caveats.One is that the reforms fall short of the "revolution" proclaimed by Mr Purnell.

The Economist

Regulations that still make it virtually impossible to sell unrated bonds in America are also a boon.All this would have seemed improbable only a couple of years ago, when talk abounded of reforming ratings agencies and diminishing their role.

The Economist

Speaking to Rolling Stone, McCartney said: "There was talk of reforming The Beatles a couple of times, but it didn't gel, there was not enough passion behind the idea.

Huffington Post

Instead, he emphasised the government's existing "adjustments and fine-tuning", including some tax reform, and a couple of cuts in interest rates and reserve requirements.

The Economist

Kim Jong Un’s business sense isn’t perfect: The late 2009 currency reform, lopping a couple of zeroes off North Korean banknotes, was said at the time to have had his backing; when it failed, not he but a veteran economic guru got the blame and may have been executed.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a couple of reforms" when you want to emphasize that the number of changes is small and manageable. It is more impactful than saying "some reforms".

Common error

Avoid using "a couple of reforms" when the actual number of changes is significantly more. This can create the impression that the reforms are less comprehensive than they truly are.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a couple of reforms" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies a specific, small number of changes or improvements, adding a sense of manageable adjustment to a broader context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a couple of reforms" is a noun phrase used to denote a small number of changes or improvements. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in English. The expression is most frequently found in news and media, reflecting its use in discussions of policy and organizational adjustments. While the phrase is suitable for various contexts, it's essential to ensure the quantity aligns with the actual number of changes. Alternatives include "several changes" or "a few modifications", offering nuanced options depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several changes

Refers to more than two, but still a limited number of changes.

a few modifications

Implies a small number of alterations made to something.

some adjustments

Suggests minor alterations to improve something.

two revisions

Specifically indicates that there are two instances of something being revised.

a pair of amendments

Highlights two specific alterations or additions to a document or system.

a handful of improvements

Indicates a small quantity of positive changes.

limited reforms

Emphasizes that the reforms are restricted in scope or number.

minor adjustments

Stresses the small and insignificant nature of the changes.

selected modifications

Suggests that changes were carefully chosen or targeted.

certain reforms

Indicates that specific, but not all, reforms are being considered.

FAQs

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

You can use "a couple of reforms" to describe a limited number of changes or improvements to a system or process. For example: "The company implemented "a couple of reforms" to improve employee satisfaction."

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

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "several changes", "a few modifications", or "some adjustments".

Is it appropriate to use "a couple of reforms" in formal writing?

Yes, "a couple of reforms" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, in highly formal contexts, you might consider using a more precise term if the exact number of reforms is known.

What is the difference between "a couple of reforms" and "some reforms"?

"A couple of reforms" suggests a smaller, more specific number of changes (typically two), while "some reforms" is more general and could refer to any number greater than one.