among a couple

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "among a couple" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used when referring to being included within a small group of two, but it is more common to use "between" in this context. Example: "She felt lost among a couple of friends who were deep in conversation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

You will read a lot about "investors" going to cash, but they are among a couple kinds of people.

The New York Times

General Motors, IBM, PepsiCo, Lockheed Martin and DuPont are among a couple of dozen giant American companies with female bosses.

The Economist

I too was thrilled to be on Cottonwood Street, in Grand Forks, among a couple dozen determined people who clearly would not take no for an answer.

The New York Times

We crossed over the left-hand levee and found ourselves among a couple of dozen old wooden boats with peeling paint, tied to listing docks.

The New Yorker

Blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, a total of 6,150 slot machines, several kinds of poker and a 3,000-square-foot 3,000-square-foot 3,000-square-foote of dozen ways to gamble.

The New York Times

Most recently, a developer proposed converting what is 5,000 square feet spread among a couple of small buildings near the village center to a 78,000-square-foot, three-story building with 30 condo units.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It's natural to feel alone and perhaps a little self-conscious among a couples canoodling over eggnog, but try not to become obsessed or overly focused on it.

Huffington Post

The show's earliest paintings, among them a couple of still lifes, indicate that Ensor was fully up to speed on Symbolist and Neo-Impressionist developments.

The New York Times

The real magician of recycling, though, is Dario Robleto, who is represented here by modest pieces, among them a couple of his wry diva homages.

The New York Times - Arts

Luxury rentals, too, have washers and dryers, among them a couple in Williamsburg, Brooklyn: the new 34 Berry and 184 Kent, a converted warehouse.

The New York Times

Mary Dowdle, the listing agent for the property at Ginnel, said she was fielding inquiries from several buyers, among them a couple who had house-hunted in the Hamptons but decided they wanted a weekend home in a more rural setting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using "between" instead of "among" when referring specifically to two entities. For example, "The decision was made between a couple of options" sounds more natural than "among a couple of options".

Common error

Avoid using "among" when you are explicitly referring to only two items or individuals. "Among" is generally used for three or more. Using "between" is more appropriate and grammatically sound in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "among a couple" functions as a prepositional phrase, aiming to indicate inclusion within a small group. However, its grammatical correctness is questionable, as it's more common to use "between" when referring to two items. The data from Ludwig suggests inconsistent usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "among a couple" is a prepositional phrase that aims to denote inclusion within a pair. However, it's considered grammatically questionable; "between" is typically preferred when referring to two entities. While Ludwig examples show its appearance in news and media, it's infrequent and not always grammatically sound. Therefore, while the intent is usually clear, it's advisable to use alternatives like "between a couple" or rephrase the sentence for clarity and grammatical correctness. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

among a few

Replaces "couple" with "few", indicating a slightly larger but still small group.

between a couple

Substitutes "among" with "between", emphasizing the relationship or interaction involving the pair.

within a couple

Uses "within" instead of "among", focusing on the inclusion inside the specified pair or small group.

among two

Replaces "a couple" with "two", specifying an exact number.

between the pair

Uses "between" and specifies "the pair" to emphasize the dyadic relationship.

within the duo

Employs "within" and the synonym "duo" to denote inclusion within a group of two.

in a couple

Replaces "among" with "in", focusing on the presence within the pair.

out of a couple

Indicates selection from a group of two.

from a couple

Suggests origin or source from the pair.

with a couple

Emphasizes association or accompaniment with the pair.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "among a couple"?

While the phrase "among a couple" appears in some published works, it's not considered standard English. It's generally more accurate to use "between" when referring to two items or people.

What preposition should I use when referring to exactly two items or people?

Use "between" when referring to two distinct items or people. For instance, "The agreement was between a couple of parties" is preferred over "among a couple of parties".

Can I use "among" when referring to a pair?

Although sometimes encountered, using "among" when referring to a pair is generally discouraged. "Between" is the more appropriate preposition in such contexts.

What are some alternatives to "among a couple"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "between a couple", "within a pair", or rephrase the sentence to avoid the issue entirely.