couple more singles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "couple more singles" is not entirely correct in standard written English; it should be "a couple more singles." You can use it when referring to an additional number of single items, typically in a casual context.
Example: "I need a couple more singles to complete my collection of stamps."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

And the batsmen nurdle a couple more singles.

The Guardian - Sport

The intruder frisked him and found a couple more singles in a pocket.

The New York Times

A couple more singles and a no ball, then it's a dot to finish.

The Guardian - Sport

A couple more singles and then a misfield by Jordan allowing a couple more brings up the 300.

The Guardian - Sport

A couple more singles keep the scoreboard ticking around, but it's superb bowling from Sri Lanka again.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Make sure there's a good mix of boys and girls, couples and singles, the more singles the better, the more girls the better.

WikiHow

"Not only has the population increased, but the mix in that population is such that we have more singles, married couples without children and seniors, and yet we don't have more rental units," said Pearl M. Kamer, the chief economist of the Long Island Association.

The New York Times

The next is shorter, and turned away to backward square leg for a couple more and the batsmen take a single off the last courtesy of a misfield in the covers.

The Guardian - Sport

Those looking for an area with more singles and young couples should seek out the Dubai Marina, which has plenty of hotels, bars and restaurants.

BBC

So I bought a couple more.

BBC

Taylor skips down the track and flicks a single away, then Knight manages to blast one through the covers for a couple more.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "couple more singles" in writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates what the "singles" refer to, such as individual items, songs, or people, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "couple more singles" when referring to collections or groups that are not inherently individual items. For example, it would be incorrect to say "We need a couple more singles of this fabric" if the fabric is sold in bolts or larger units.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "couple more singles" functions as a quantifier followed by a noun. It specifies an additional small quantity of individual items or entities. This is evident from the Ludwig examples, where it's used to describe additional runs in cricket or extra single people in a demographic context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "couple more singles" is used to indicate a small additional quantity of individual items, as demonstrated by Ludwig. It is generally acceptable in both spoken and written English, though Ludwig AI suggests that "a couple more singles" may be preferred in more formal contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, as well as in informal contexts such as WikiHow. It's important to consider the specific context when using this phrase to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few additional singles

Replaces "couple" with "few" and "more" with "additional", offering a slightly more formal tone.

some further singles

Substitutes "couple" with "some" and "more" with "further", providing a subtle shift in emphasis.

a pair of extra singles

Uses "pair" instead of "couple" and "extra" instead of "more", highlighting the dual nature of the quantity.

two more individual items

Replaces "singles" with "individual items" for clarity, suitable for a broader range of contexts.

a couple of additional individual entities

Replaces "singles" with "individual entities", making it more precise and formal.

another couple of solo performances

Uses "solo performances" instead of "singles", appropriate when referring to artistic acts.

a handful more singles

Replaces "couple" with "handful", suggesting a slightly larger, less precise quantity.

a brace of further singles

Uses "brace" (meaning a pair) and "further" for a somewhat archaic or formal tone.

several more single instances

Replaces "couple" with "several" and "singles" with "single instances", broadening the quantity and context.

a number of extra singles

Uses "number" instead of "couple", indicating an unspecified quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "couple more singles" in a sentence?

You can use "couple more singles" to indicate a small additional quantity of individual items. For example, "I need a "couple more singles" to complete my collection of stamps".

What is a more formal way to say "couple more singles"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "a few additional singles" or "some further singles" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "couple more singles" or "a couple more singles"?

While "couple more singles" is acceptable in informal contexts, "a couple more singles" is generally considered more grammatically correct in formal writing, as suggested by Ludwig AI.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "couple more singles"?

It is best to avoid using "couple more singles" when referring to items that are not inherently individual or when a more precise quantity is needed. In such cases, alternatives like "two more individual items" may be more suitable.