a couple of workers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a couple of workers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to two or a few workers in a casual or informal context. Example: "During the meeting, a couple of workers raised concerns about the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Finally, at the "sorting line," a couple of workers watch for any remaining nuggets.

The New Yorker

Inside, a couple of workers sat at desks amid stacks of yard signs, but the congressman declined to come out when a reporter showed up.

The Washington Post

And concerns over safety generated by the recent deaths of a couple of workers caused work to be temporarily halted this month.

The New York Times - Travel

Later, when I asked a couple of workers how much they were paid, they said nine birr each day, or around 75 cents.

The New York Times - Magazine

One of them was to try to figure out whether I would be able to afford to pay myself a decent salary this year and also hire a couple of workers.

The New York Times

Before matches and between sets, a couple of workers smooth the red surface by dragging rectangular swatches of chain-link across the surface, a quick fix commonly used on baseball infields.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

There are four policies you really can't do business without if you have more than a couple of employees: Workers' compensation is required by state law and covers workers' medical expenses, disability pay and death benefits.

The New York Times

"The fight is over now … we're still investigating the cause of the fight and the number of workers involved," said Foxconn spokesman Louis Woo, adding it was possible it involved "a couple of thousand workers".

The Guardian - Tech

A movement's historyThe fast food workers' movement was born in New York less than two years ago, when a couple of hundred workers from 30 franchises across the city walked off their jobs — a bold move in an industry with no unions.

Vice

Early on, a couple of City Council workers had complained about being stuck there.

The New Yorker

At the peak of construction, a couple of hundred workers labored here.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider replacing "a couple of workers" with more professional alternatives like "several employees" or "a few staff members".

Common error

Avoid using "a couple of workers" in highly formal documents such as legal contracts or official reports. Opt for more precise and professional terms like "two employees" or "several staff members" to maintain a consistent level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a couple of workers" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a small, indefinite number of individuals engaged in some form of labor. Ludwig provides examples where it refers to individuals in various workplaces.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a couple of workers" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase to describe a small number of individuals engaged in labor. According to Ludwig, it is generally acceptable for use in various contexts, although more formal situations may benefit from alternatives like "several employees". Its usage is most prevalent in news and media, with occasional appearances in scientific and wiki-based content. Therefore, while versatile, context should guide the choice between "a couple of workers" and more formal alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few staff members

Substitutes "a couple of" with "a few", and "workers" with "staff members", creating a slightly more professional tone.

a few members of staff

Similar to "a few staff members" but rephrased for slight variation.

several employees

Replaces the informal "a couple of" with the more formal "several", and "workers" with "employees".

two employees

Replaces the idiomatic "a couple of" with the explicit number "two", and "workers" with "employees".

a pair of laborers

Replaces "workers" with "laborers", focusing on manual labor jobs.

a small group of employees

Highlights the size of the group and uses the term "employees".

a handful of personnel

Implies a small, indefinite number of workers, using the term "personnel".

several members of the team

Emphasizes teamwork and uses "team" instead of "workers".

two individuals on staff

Uses more formal language to describe the workers, emphasizing their status as part of the staff.

two working individuals

Uses more descriptive and slightly redundant language to convey the meaning.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "several employees", "a few staff members", or "two employees" depending on the context.

Is "a couple of workers" formal or informal?

The phrase "a couple of workers" is generally considered informal. For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "several employees" or "a number of staff".

How to use "a couple of workers" in a sentence?

You can use "a couple of workers" in a sentence like this: "During the renovation, a couple of workers were seen taking a break."

What's the difference between "a couple of workers" and "a few workers"?

While both phrases indicate a small number, "a couple of workers" typically implies exactly two, whereas "a few workers" suggests a small number greater than two, but not many.