a couple of samples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a couple of samples' is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to two or a few examples of something, as in: "I studied a couple of samples of the new product to form my opinion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Mr. Koh then makes a couple of samples in Seoul and ships them back to America for final approval.

The New York Times

A 500g box of pralines will set you back €39 (£28), but you can buy a couple of samples for a few Euros.

Independent

You know the Kanye formula by now: there are a couple of samples (Mr Fingers's Mystery Of Love pulses throughout this); Kanye complains vaguely about how bad being rich is; and then 100,000 rappers hop on to do anywhere between a hook and a verse.

The Guardian - Music

A couple of samples (via this thread on Facebook).

TechCrunch

A couple of samples of sighing speech were found in the analysis data, expressing disappointment, regret, weariness and relief.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

"[The album] was made at home, mainly using a few bits of hardware, field recordings, and a couple of samples.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Businesses are initially offered a couple of sample replies they can use out-of-the-box or customize, we're told, or they can simply create their own.

TechCrunch

To get developers started with this service, the Chrome team has published a couple of sample apps, as well as a pretty in-depth tutorial.

TechCrunch

ZeroStack seeds the portal with a couple of sample VMs, but to be meaningful customers are going to have to upload their own.

TechCrunch

Furthermore, voltage-dependent current mapping allows probing the electric response upon a couple of sample biases at one glance (see Figure 4c).

Nanoscale Research Letters

Here are a couple of sample lines.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a couple of samples", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being sampled and why. For example, specify "a couple of blood samples" or "a couple of audio samples" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a couple of samples" when you actually mean a larger, unspecified number. "A couple" specifically refers to two, so use "several" or "a few" if the quantity is greater or inexact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a couple of samples" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a limited quantity, specifically two, of items taken for inspection or analysis. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a couple of samples" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote two items taken from a larger set. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It functions as a noun phrase and serves to specify a limited quantity for testing, analysis, or demonstration. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly indicates what's being sampled. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it's essential to avoid using it when referring to a larger, unspecified number; in such cases, alternatives like "a few examples" or "several specimens" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few examples

This alternative suggests a slightly less precise quantity than "a couple", implying more than two but still a small number.

several specimens

This alternative is more formal and often used in scientific or technical contexts when referring to items collected for analysis.

two or three instances

This alternative provides a numerical range, making it slightly more specific than "a couple".

a pair of examples

This alternative emphasizes the duality but is less commonly used in general conversation.

a small selection

This alternative emphasizes that the items are part of a larger set and have been chosen for a specific purpose.

a limited number of items

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the restricted quantity of the items.

some test cases

This alternative is suitable in the context of testing or experimentation.

a brace of samples

This alternative is archaic and implies a pair, typically in hunting or culinary contexts. It is less common in modern usage.

a sampling of items

This alternative focuses on the act of sampling from a larger set.

a couple of instances

Swaps 'samples' for 'instances', making it applicable to events or occurrences rather than physical items.

FAQs

What does "a couple of samples" mean?

The phrase "a couple of samples" means two or a small number of examples taken from a larger set, used for analysis, testing, or demonstration.

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

You might say, "We analyzed "a couple of samples" to determine the product's effectiveness" or "The chef provided "a couple of samples" of the new dessert for us to try."

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

You can use alternatives like "a few examples", "several specimens", or "a small selection" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a couple samples" or "a couple of samples"?

"A couple of samples" is grammatically correct. "A couple samples" is missing the preposition "of" and is not standard English.