couple of million

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'couple of million' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a large, but not exact, number of people or things. For example, "The company has invested a couple of million dollars in research and development this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"I've heard it's a couple of million.

Independent

A couple of million, I say, astonished.

The Guardian - Film

Within a couple of million dollars".

The New York Times

Her autobiography, "Living History", sold a couple of million copies.

The Economist

"Not in couple of million years," the estate agent said.

The Guardian - Travel

Sign Jeremy Paxman for a couple of million?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

A couple of hundred?

The New York Times - Arts

A couple of thousand dollars in savings.

The New York Times - Science

For a couple of hundred thousand, forget it.

The New Yorker

"A couple of thousand showed up".

The New Yorker

A couple of thousand men, very mobile".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "couple of million" to indicate a large but inexact number, typically understood to be around two million but allowing for some flexibility.

Common error

Avoid using "couple of million" when a precise figure is available or required; opt for the exact number or a more specific range instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "couple of million" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating an approximate quantity of two million. As Ludwig AI exemplifies, it is used to describe amounts, numbers of people, or other countable items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "couple of million" is a common and acceptable way to express an approximate quantity of two million. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While "couple of million" is suitable for general contexts, it's important to remember its approximate nature and opt for precise numbers in formal or scientific settings. As seen in the examples, the phrase appears predominantly in news and media, highlighting its role in conveying general magnitudes to a broad audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several million

Indicates an unspecified number of millions, implying more than two but still relatively few.

a few million

Suggests a small, indefinite number of millions, emphasizing the limited quantity.

millions of

Emphasizes a large, unspecified quantity measured in millions, without specifying an exact range.

a good few million

Implies a significant number of millions, suggesting a quantity that is substantial and noteworthy.

approximately two million

Provides a more precise estimate, indicating a quantity very close to two million.

around two million

Similar to 'approximately two million', suggesting the quantity is near the two million mark.

in the millions

Indicates that the quantity is within the range of millions, without specifying how many.

a seven-figure sum

Describes an amount of money equal to one million or more.

multiple millions

Implies that the quantity is more than one million but could be a range of millions.

upwards of a million

Suggests an indefinite amount greater than one million.

FAQs

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

You can use "couple of million" to describe a quantity that is approximately two million. For example, "The project cost a "couple of million" dollars".

What's a more formal alternative to "couple of million"?

While "couple of million" is widely accepted, a more formal alternative would be "approximately two million" or "around two million" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "couple of million" in formal writing?

It's generally acceptable in news articles and less formal reports. For academic or highly formal documents, consider using more precise language such as "approximately two million".

Which is correct, "a couple million" or "couple of million"?

"Couple of million" is the correct and more common phrasing. "A couple million" is grammatically incorrect.