couple

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'couple' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to two people, things, or animals. You can use it when you want to talk or write about two of something. Example: "We went to the store and bought a couple of books."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's only what happened a couple of weeks ago or next week that matters.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think the ray of light is that there is now an undertaking by government lawyers so that people on board the ship will be taken to a detention centre in the next couple of days," she said.

The Guardian

Outside on the pavement, they had plentiful supplies of broccoli, potatoes and other vegetables and a supermarket trolley piled high with rucksacks, a couple of guitars and a dog named Zeus.

The Guardian

Nor did they have enough balls: Fifa had supplied 25 of the new Tango España balls to each participating nation but none of the ones allocated to El Salvador made it as far as the players, who had to ask Hungary to lend them a couple so they could practise before their first match.

The Guardian - Sport

Their resistance was even more admirable against Argentina, with Mora again making a couple of excellent stops before being beaten by a first-half penalty from Daniel Passarella.

The Guardian - Sport

It's only the first couple of weeks of 2015, but the year may as well be over: with the 2016 presidential and congressional elections looming, Republicans are pushing full steam ahead on economy and jobs in an attempt to improve their chances at capturing the White House next year.

The Guardian - Money

However, when a couple breaks up all our matchmakers feel the disappointment.

The Guardian

Rafael Nadal's searing honesty has always sustained him in troubled times and, while the Spaniard is perhaps a couple of defeats short of a crisis, he admits this summer has not been one of his best.

The Guardian - Sport

"It has been bothering me last couple of days," he said, adding puzzlingly, "but it's not worrying me".

The Guardian - Sport

While he was well enough the couple went sailing together, and when he was too weak for that he painted obsessively, on cardboard and brown parcel paper, an old bait box, and pieces of china.

The Guardian - Arts

It is possible to choose free-range over factory-produced eggs even in convenience stores; much harder to opt to pay a premium of a couple of pounds for a T-shirt that comes with ethical plus points.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "couple" to mean 'a few', ensure the context is informal. In formal writing, prefer more precise terms like 'several' or 'a small number'.

Common error

Be careful about verb agreement. When "couple" refers to a pair acting as a unit, use a singular verb. When referring to individuals within the pair, use a plural verb.

Linguistic Context

Couple primarily functions as a noun, referring to two people in a relationship or two similar items considered together. It can also act as a determiner, indicating a small number of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is common and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

20%

Travel

15%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "couple" is a common and versatile word, used to denote two entities, often people in a relationship, or to indicate a small quantity. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. While primarily functioning as a noun, it can also act as a determiner. Its register is generally neutral, fitting seamlessly into news articles and lifestyle content. When aiming for greater precision, particularly in formal or scientific writing, alternatives like "pair" or "few" may be more appropriate. Remember to maintain correct subject-verb agreement, especially when referring to the individuals within a "couple".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pair

Refers to two items or individuals considered together.

married pair

Specifically means a married "couple".

few

Indicates a small number, similar to the "a couple of" usage.

married duo

Specifically for married persons.

duo

Specifically denotes two people performing together.

brace

Another word for a pair or couple.

twosome

Describes a group of two.

several

A small number of.

partners

Two people working together.

small number

Indicates the quantity is small, as in "a couple of".

FAQs

How to use "couple" in a sentence?

You can use "couple" to refer to two people in a relationship, as in "They are a lovely couple", or to mean a small number, such as in "I need a couple of days to finish the project".

What can I say instead of "couple"?

You can use alternatives like "pair" when referring to two items or people, or "few" when referring to a small number.

Is it correct to say "a couple is" or "a couple are"?

Both can be correct depending on the context. Use "is" when referring to the couple as a single unit (e.g., "The couple is happy"), and use "are" when emphasizing the individual members (e.g., "The couple are arguing about finances").

What's the difference between "couple" and "pair"?

"Couple" often refers to two people in a relationship or a small, indefinite number, while "pair" generally refers to two items that are similar or meant to be used together.