couple of ads

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "couple of ads" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of advertisements, typically two or three. Example: "I saw a couple of ads for the new restaurant opening downtown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"You can't undo years of neglect with a couple of ads".

The New York Times

A couple of ads in the taxi campaign explicitly link the contest to the Nissan brand theme.

The New York Times

As a MetroCard-carrying subway rider and graphic designer, I offer a couple of ads that both natives and tourists might actually find useful.

The New York Times

But so far, only a handful of obscure hedge funds seem to have taken up the offer, placing a couple of ads on social-media sites.

The New Yorker

As producer, Luff not only lined up the talent, but also the theatre - Her Majesty's in London - and he sold all the tickets with just a couple of ads in the Evening Standard and Private Eye.

The Guardian

The company is considering offering the product free or at a large discount in exchange for a subscription to its Internet services and the willingness to have a couple of ads a day shown on the device, said Mr. McGregor, whose company helped with the design.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The Tower has several bodegas, a hair salon, and a couple of ad-hoc day-care centers.

The New Yorker

We drove through an intersection that was all shot up, and along some residential side streets into a middle-class neighborhood, negotiating a couple of ad-hoc roadblocks made out of stones and odds and ends and manned by local men, some with guns.

The New Yorker

"So it's possible Yahoo! could generate a couple of ad rotations during a single call".

Forbes

A couple of other ads tease those who see them with references to "Doctor Who".

The New York Times

Figuring he might get a few retired shipbuilders or some skilled laborers from local unions, he bought a couple of newspapers ads and spread the word among veterans' groups.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a small number of advertisements, use "couple of ads" to indicate a quantity of approximately two, providing a clear and concise description.

Common error

Avoid using "couple of ads" when discussing a larger, unspecified number of advertisements. Instead, opt for phrases like "several ads" or "various advertisements" to maintain accuracy and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "couple of ads" functions as a determiner phrase quantifying the noun "ads". As evidenced by Ludwig, it is used to specify a small, usually approximate, quantity of advertisements. The phrase consists of a determiner ("couple"), a preposition ("of"), and a noun ("ads").

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "couple of ads" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, denoting a small number of advertisements, typically around two. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While "few advertisements" or "pair of advertisements" can serve as alternatives, it's crucial to maintain accuracy in describing the actual number of advertisements. Remember, this phrase is most effective when specificity is desired and the quantity is indeed limited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

few advertisements

Replaces "couple of" with "few", indicating a small number of advertisements, maintaining similar meaning but with a slightly less specific quantity.

handful of commercials

Substitutes "ads" with "commercials" and "couple of" with "handful of", implying a small, indefinite number of television advertisements.

pair of advertisements

Replaces "couple of" with "pair of", specifying exactly two advertisements.

some advertising

Uses a more general term, "advertising", rather than specifying a number of ads.

limited number of ads

Emphasizes the small and restricted quantity of ads.

small selection of advertisements

Highlights that only a few advertisements from a broader range have been chosen.

a couple of promotional pieces

Replaces "ads" with "promotional pieces", referring to advertising material.

several marketing campaigns

Broadens the scope to campaigns instead of individual ads, implying related advertisements.

limited marketing efforts

Focuses on the limited scale of marketing activities, rather than the specific number of ads.

some ad spots

Replaces "ads" with "ad spots", referring to specific slots for advertisements.

FAQs

What does "couple of ads" mean?

"Couple of ads" refers to a small number of advertisements, typically two, though it can sometimes imply a few without being strictly limited to just two.

What can I say instead of "couple of ads"?

You can use alternatives like "few advertisements", "pair of advertisements", or "handful of commercials" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a couple ads" without the "of"?

While understandable, omitting the "of" in "a couple ads" is grammatically incorrect and less formal than using "couple of ads".

How does "couple of ads" differ from "some ads"?

"Couple of ads" suggests a smaller, more specific number (around two), whereas "some ads" indicates an unspecified, potentially larger quantity.