around a couple

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "around a couple" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an approximate number or quantity, typically in informal contexts. Example: "We should meet around a couple of hours before the event starts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was blessed to be able to stick around a couple years without really doing anything".

The New York Times - Sports

"Dave and that generation were around, a couple of beats ahead of me, and I learned from them".

The Guardian

I'm also throwing around a couple of ideas for musicians like Jonathan Butler and some others.

Huffington Post

Amazon's "Catastrophe" revolves around a couple whose idea of an endearment runs something like "Even if I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't kill you.

Los Angeles Times

For younger, healthy clients, long-term care premiums generally start at around a couple thousand dollars a year, according to Beck.

Forbes

Then I was knocked around a couple of years.

Cornell University

I watch a fair bit of television, around a couple of hours or so a night.

The Guardian - Tech

"I think I'll be around a couple of more years," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

The photographed torsos of a couple of cabbies are wrapped around a couple of taxis.

The New York Times

I think you went in there, hung around a couple of minutes, and came out".

The New Yorker

In America, Cadillac and Lincoln eventually consolidated the limousine business around a couple basic models.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "around a couple" when you want to indicate an estimated or approximate number or quantity, avoiding the need for precise figures.

Common error

Avoid using "around a couple" in formal or scientific writing where precise figures are expected; opt for more accurate numerical expressions instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "around a couple" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating an approximate quantity or time. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "around a couple" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that serves to indicate an approximate quantity or time. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for informal contexts, conveying an estimation rather than a precise figure. While frequently found in News & Media and Academia, its usage should be moderated in formal or scientific writing, where accuracy is key. Alternatives like "approximately two" may be more suitable in such instances. In essence, "around a couple" offers a convenient way to express estimations in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately two

More formal and precise, specifying a quantity close to two.

close to two

Focuses on the closeness to the numerical value.

nearly two

Emphasizes that the quantity is close to, but not exactly, two.

about a pair

Replaces "couple" with "pair", maintaining the approximation.

roughly a pair

Similar to "about a pair" but uses "roughly" for approximation.

in the vicinity of two

Emphasizes the proximity to the number two.

in the neighborhood of a couple

Uses a more descriptive term for approximation.

something like two

Informal way to express an approximation.

in the ballpark of two

Idiomatic expression indicating an approximate quantity.

in the region of a pair

Uses "region" to indicate an approximate range.

FAQs

How can I use "around a couple" in a sentence?

You can use "around a couple" to express an approximate quantity, such as, "I'll be there in "about a couple" of hours."

What is a more formal alternative to "around a couple"?

For more formal contexts, consider using "approximately two" or "nearly two" instead of "around a couple".

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

Yes, "around a couple" is grammatically correct and commonly used in informal contexts to indicate an approximation.

When should I avoid using the phrase "around a couple"?

Avoid using "around a couple" in contexts that require precise numbers or measurements. Opt for more specific numerical values instead.