couple of agreements

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "couple of agreements" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two or a few agreements in a casual or informal context. Example: "We reached a couple of agreements during the negotiations that will benefit both parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Also indicative of the trend are a couple of agreements, to be announced on Tuesday, between the Walt Disney Company and two major marketers, the J. C. Penney Company and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance.

The New York Times

Since 2006, the two governments have made a couple of agreements to reduce the burden on Okinawa by relocating the United States Marine Corps Air Station at Futenma from the middle of a city to a less congested part of the island, and by moving 9,000 Marines and their dependents to Guam, Hawaii and Australia.

The New York Times

It has also signed a couple of agreements with auto dealer partners, who will be the first to distribute the system more broadly to potential customers.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

AOL could have gotten all the benefits of this deal with a few joint ventures and a couple of licensing agreements.

Forbes

And although some free-marketers balked at Richardson's call to enforce labor and environmental standards, Richardson acknowledged in June that "a couple of trade agreements" negotiated by the Bush administration "have actually done this".

Forbes

There have been a couple of international agreements (at the UN biodiversity convention last year, for example, when governments agreed there should be no geo-engineering schemes that damage nature).

BBC

Levner says they're expecting the device to be in doctors' offices in the EU in "around three months" — noting they're in the process of finishing up a couple of initial distribution agreements now.

TechCrunch

He said social services stepped in and the couple signed agreements of no domestic violence.

BBC

Gatland added: "So [I'm] disappointed to hear that a couple of them had verbal agreements, but not written in their contracts which I'd sat down with them to do.

BBC

A couple of early patrons murmured agreement.

The New York Times

Other researchers later confirmed that CFCs were the likely culprits and within a couple of years the Montreal agreement led to the banning of the production of CFCs, an example of exceptional international co-operation according to former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, who has since described it "as the single most successful international agreement to date".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing. While "couple of agreements" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from phrases like "two agreements" or "a limited number of agreements".

Common error

Avoid using "couple of agreements" when you actually mean a larger, unspecified number of agreements. Instead of saying "We have a couple of agreements with various partners", if you have more than a few, use "several agreements" or "multiple agreements" to be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "couple of agreements" functions as a quantifier plus noun phrase. It specifies the number of "agreements" being referred to, indicating a small quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and general correctness in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "couple of agreements" is a grammatically sound and generally acceptable way to refer to a small number of agreements, typically two. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English writing. While it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, it can also appear in scientific discussions. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context clearly indicates you are referring to a small quantity to avoid ambiguity. If a more formal tone is required, alternatives like "two agreements" or "a limited number of agreements" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

few agreements

Emphasizes a small quantity of agreements, similar to "couple of agreements" but without the specific number.

pair of agreements

More explicitly states there are two agreements, adding a touch of formality.

handful of agreements

Suggests a slightly larger number than "couple", but still a small, manageable amount.

limited number of agreements

Highlights the restricted quantity of agreements, useful when contrasting with a larger potential number.

small set of agreements

Focuses on the agreements being part of a collection, though a small one.

several understandings

Replaces "agreements" with "understandings", softening the legal implication while keeping the quantity small.

two contracts

More specific term (contracts) and quantity (two).

a small number of deals

Informal term (deals) and synonymous for agreements.

limited deals

Highlights the deals are a few, it's more informal.

two arrangements

Synonym for agreements and quantity.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "couple of agreements"?

Use "couple of agreements" when you specifically mean two agreements or a small number close to two. It implies a limited quantity and is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

What are some alternatives to "couple of agreements"?

You can use alternatives like "few agreements", "pair of agreements", or "small number of agreements" depending on the context.

Is "couple of agreements" formal or informal?

"Couple of agreements" is generally considered acceptable in both formal and informal writing. However, for highly formal situations, more precise language like "two agreements" may be preferred.

How does "couple of agreements" differ from "several agreements"?

"Couple of agreements" refers to a smaller number (typically two) while "several agreements" implies a larger, unspecified number that is more than just two.