a couple of test

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a couple of test" is not correct in English.
It should be "a couple of tests." You can use it when referring to two or a few tests in a casual context. Example: "I need to conduct a couple of tests to ensure the software is functioning properly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Last year the firm had to stop drilling a couple of test wells after a spill-containment vessel was damaged.

The Economist

The television commercial, which was shown in a couple of test markets in the spring, began running this month for the holiday season.

The New York Times

While researching my article on Amazon Art, Amazon's new fine-art and collectibles site, I made a couple of test purchases.

The New York Times

She must fill in the forms again, read the pamphlet, which droned about team work, commitment, engagement, merchandising and goals, and then they'd fit her in for a couple of test sessions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On a couple of test runs in the yard of a home here belonging to a friend of Mr. Martin, the jetpack jumped off the ground as if impatient to get moving, scattering a cloud of dirt and grass clippings.

The New York Times

It's the most marvellous of quadrennials – a summer that contains all of the annual sporting staples (Wimbledon, the Open, a couple of Test series) plus the European football championships and the Olympic Games.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Once a résumé is approved, candidates receive an e-mail link for taking a couple of tests.

The New York Times

I'm one of the lucky ones; my parents care about my grades but do not penalize me for failing a couple of tests.

The New York Times

Do a couple of tests with makeup and latex, even on the back of your hand or on your brother or sister.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We did a couple of tests and Tobias was like "all right, all right, what the fuck are we going to do?".

The Guardian - Film

End-of-term report The teaching staff expected better from the head boy of the past two years but, though he excelled in a couple of tests, he seemed distracted in the second half of the year and is no longer top of the class.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the plural form "tests" with "a couple of". This ensures grammatical correctness and clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using the singular form "test" after "a couple of". It's a common mistake that can detract from the clarity and professionalism of your writing. Remember: "a couple of tests" is correct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a couple of test" functions as a determiner phrase aiming to specify a quantity. However, it is grammatically incorrect, as the noun should be plural (tests). As pointed out by Ludwig, the correct form is "a couple of tests".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a couple of test" is commonly used, but grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "a couple of tests". Ludwig AI highlights this error, advising to use the plural form "tests". Although prevalent in news and media, its incorrectness makes it unsuitable for formal writing. When you intend to refer to two or a few tests, always ensure you use the plural form of the noun, maintaining grammatical accuracy and clarity in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of tests

This is the grammatically correct form of the original phrase, referring to two or a small number of tests.

a few tests

This alternative uses 'few' instead of 'couple', suggesting a small but indefinite number of tests.

a pair of tests

This alternative uses 'pair' which is synonymous with 'couple' in this context, referring to exactly two tests.

two tests

This provides a precise number of tests, removing the ambiguity of 'a couple'.

several tests

This suggests more than two tests, indicating an unspecified small number.

a set of tests

This suggests that the tests are related or grouped together.

some tests

This is a general term for an unspecified quantity of tests.

a number of tests

This implies more than just a couple, suggesting a greater quantity of tests.

a limited number of tests

This emphasizes that the quantity of tests is small.

initial tests

This focuses on the tests being performed at the beginning of a process.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "a couple of test"?

The correct way to phrase it is "a couple of tests". The noun "test" should be in its plural form when used with "a couple of".

Is "a couple of test" grammatically correct?

No, "a couple of test" is grammatically incorrect. The proper phrasing is "a couple of tests", using the plural form of the noun.

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

Since "a couple of test" is incorrect, you can use phrases like "a couple of tests", "a few tests", or "two tests" depending on the level of precision you want to convey.

Which is correct, "a couple of test" or "a couple of tests"?

"A couple of tests" is the correct phrase. The word "tests" should be plural to agree with "couple", which implies more than one.