couple of illustrations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "couple of illustrations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of examples or visual representations to clarify a point or concept. Example: "To better understand the theory, I will provide a couple of illustrations that demonstrate its application."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I sold a couple of illustrations, but at a certain point, I thought: this isn't really so great, so I might as well try doing what I want to do — cartoons.

The New Yorker

I sold a couple of illustrations, but at a certain point, I thought: this isn't really so great, so I might as well try doing what I want to do cartoons.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Feiffer, whose daughter Julie is a fourth grader at the school, also drew a couple of quick illustrations, including a caricature of the chancellor.

The New York Times

To ensure that you and the consultants are using words in the same way, request a couple of case illustrations of results — it's OK if they are anonymous cases — and listen for the details of how and when the consulting product yielded what you want.

Harvard Business Review

These are just a couple of eye-opening illustrations of the revolution generated by sites like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Forbes

If you're going through grief at the moment, seek solace in a couple of Andrew's illustrations below, and check out these tips for handling loss.

Huffington Post

A couple more illustrations of what those 30 years involved.

The New York Times

There are a couple of Toledo's graphic illustrations propped up on the bookshelves - inspiration for Clark as she works.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One Bitcointalk.org user famously traded 10,000 bitcoins for a couple of pizzas, but the best illustration of bitcoin's use as a censorship-resistant medium of exchange likely came in the form of darknet marketplace Silk Road.

Forbes

Over the last couple of months we've seen two vivid illustrations.

The New York Times

(Pages of illustrations).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, "couple of illustrations" works well to introduce examples to demonstrate a principle or a process

Common error

Avoid using "couple of illustrations" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using alternatives such as "few examples" or "several instances" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "couple of illustrations" functions as a quantifier followed by a noun phrase, indicating a small, specific number of examples presented in visual form. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "couple of illustrations" is a grammatically sound and generally accepted way to refer to two examples of visual representations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct in the English language. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, suggesting a neutral to slightly informal register. When writing, consider using alternatives like "few examples" or "pair of illustrations" to avoid repetition. Using "couple of illustrations" effectively involves providing clear examples that reinforce the main points, but be mindful of overuse in the same document.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

few illustrations

Replaces "couple" with "few", indicating a small but indefinite number.

pair of illustrations

Substitutes "couple" with "pair", emphasizing the two illustrations.

handful of illustrations

Indicates a small quantity, suggesting slightly more than just two.

several illustrations

Refers to more than two but not a large number of illustrations.

a couple visual examples

Focuses on examples that are visual in nature, implying illustrations or similar media.

some illustrations

A less specific way to say there are at least two illustrations.

two examples illustrated

Rearranges the structure to emphasize the examples and their illustrated format.

limited number of graphics

Uses the term "graphics" instead of illustrations, suitable for a broader range of visuals.

two or three drawings

Specifies the number and uses "drawings" as a concrete form of illustration.

small set of pictures

Emphasizes the collection and uses a more general term than illustrations.

FAQs

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

You can use "couple of illustrations" to introduce examples that help explain or support an idea. For instance, "To clarify this point, let's consider a "couple of illustrations" from recent studies".

What alternatives are there for "couple of illustrations"?

Alternatives include "few examples", "a pair of illustrations", or "several visual aids" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "two illustrations" instead of "couple of illustrations"?

Yes, "two illustrations" is generally more formal and precise. "Couple of illustrations" is more informal but perfectly acceptable in many contexts.

When should I use "couple of illustrations" versus "a few illustrations"?

"Couple of illustrations" specifically refers to two, while "a few illustrations" implies a small number, usually three or more. Choose based on the actual quantity you are referencing.