couple of figures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "couple of figures" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of numerical representations or data points, typically two or three. Example: "In the report, I included a couple of figures to illustrate the trends we observed over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

However, there are also a couple of figures that don't support that thesis.

The New Yorker

Oh, and a couple of figures taking a break from the grind of fixing Britain's economic woes as the nation faced its most widespread strikes for generations.

Independent

Sometimes we find that the person making the payment has – through the slip of a finger – inserted a wrong digit or transposed a couple of figures.

The Guardian - Money

I bought our first couple of figures -- Grampa, and Homer's saintly neighbor Ned Flanders -- in the hope of enticing Steve to complete the set.

The New York Times - Travel

The latest University of Michigan consumer sentiment numbers are really bad across the board, but a couple of figures stand out: * 56percentt of Americans, asked if the goverment's economic policy is good, only fair, or poor, chose poor.

The New York Times

"The idea is not to have a couple of figures leading the way to change," said Jiang Tianyong, a Beijing lawyer who has been involved in the AIDS case.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

At the end of the scrimmage, we'd do a couple of figure eights and then go to the bar.

Wikipedia

And consider a couple of other figures: 2 out of 5.9 million: The number of entrants in ESPN's Tournament Challenge who picked the correct Final Four.

The New Yorker

It consists of a hundred-and-fifty-square-foot cage, a couple of dozen figures of children molded from birdseed, and a hundred and fifty hungry pigeons.

The New Yorker

There were very few rooms, no visitors apart from us, and I can't remember much that was in there apart from a couple of reclining figures by a local boy, and some ceramics by a local girl.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"And here we are!" Mirta Guibert, an older woman in attendance whom I spoke with after the show, saw fit to thank another couple of political figures for the men's return.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "couple of figures", ensure the context clearly indicates you are referring to a small, definite number of numerical values, usually two or three. Avoid using it for larger, undefined quantities.

Common error

Avoid using "couple of figures" when you actually mean "several figures" or "many figures". "Couple" specifically implies a small, limited quantity, whereas "several" or "many" suggest a larger, less defined number.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "couple of figures" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It refers to a small number of numerical data or representations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

21%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "couple of figures" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a small number of numerical values or data points. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally used to highlight specific information in reports, analyses, or discussions, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure you're referring to a limited quantity, typically two or three, to avoid confusion with larger, less defined amounts. Alternatives such as "a few numbers" or "a pair of numbers" can be used depending on the specific context. While its usage is widespread and deemed acceptable, understanding its scope and appropriate context is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pair of numbers

Specifically indicates two numerical values, aligning closely with the "couple" aspect.

a few numbers

Refers to a small quantity of numerical values, similar to "couple of figures".

several statistics

Suggests more than two figures, but still indicates a limited quantity of statistical data.

some data points

Broader term encompassing various forms of data, including numerical figures.

a small sample of figures

The idea of "couple" is more tight here because figures seems to be selected from an existing dataset.

a limited set of data

Data has a broader meaning, therefore the similarity score is a bit lower.

a handful of values

Implies a small, easily manageable number of figures or values.

a select few data

Highlights the choice of those data between others, a semantic level not present in "couple of figures".

limited data set

The range of possible values is more wide in "couple of figures".

a number of items

Items is used here instead of figures which changes the context.

FAQs

How can I use "couple of figures" in a sentence?

You can use "couple of figures" to refer to a small number of numerical data points, as in: "The report highlights a "couple of figures" that suggest a positive trend."

What are some alternatives to "couple of figures"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "a few numbers", "a pair of numbers", or "some data points".

Is it correct to say "couple of figures" or should I say "a couple figures"?

"Couple of figures" is the correct and more common form. "A couple figures" is grammatically incorrect.

When should I use "couple of figures" versus "several figures"?

Use "couple of figures" when you are specifically referring to approximately two or three figures. Use "several figures" when referring to a slightly larger, less precise number.