couple of mine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "couple of mine" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used informally to refer to a couple of people that one knows personally. Example: "I have a couple of mine who are getting married next month."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But 50 years from now, they are going to be playing Sgt Pepper and the Who and hopefully a couple of mine, too".

The Guardian - Music

I won't know what I'm doing until the day, but I know I'm doing a couple of Lead Belly songs and a couple of mine that are relatable … but other than that, I have not rehearsed it yet … Don't know if I'll do those songs, or change it.

The Guardian - Music

Not least because I'm arrogant and weird enough to believe that a couple of mine own books (in particular, believe it or not, the one about a squirrel) deserve to be among those 1,200.

TechCrunch

I'm working to get him a couple of mine.

Huffington Post

We're going to watch........ We're trying to get as many people as we can.."... Then later in the conversation say, "Hey, why don't you come?" or maybe even "Maybe you can grab one of your friends and I'll get a couple of mine and we can all go to the movies on the weekend?" Dress nicely.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

When Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni travels up-country he takes between eight or nine cars, a couple of mine-resistant South African armoured personnel carriers and a large silver Mercedes truck with a mobile lavatory.

The Economist

Samuel's peregrinations take him to a couple of mining planets that exist primarily in bad fantasy pulp fiction -- except for the bars in these worlds, which seem as if they might belong in a Samuel Beckett version of a science-fiction novel.

The New York Times

"I share an office – I've been writing with a couple of mates of mine and it's a lot of fun, but I realised I didn't like their stuff coming on to my half of the desk… I have a thing with pillows.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Thus a proper coupling of mine induced deformation, fluid flow properties and the process of fluid flow itself is a must for any reliable modelling of rock mass deformation, water and gas flow into a coal mine.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

I hadn't thought of doing other weddings until a couple months later when a couple friends of mine were getting married and they wanted me to do it.

Huffington Post

A couple friends of mine have an Occulus Rift.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "couple of mine" in informal conversation when referring to a small group of items or people closely associated with you. Be mindful of the context to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "couple of mine" in formal writing or professional settings where a more precise or formal expression like "a couple of my colleagues" or "two of my items" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "couple of mine" primarily functions as a possessive determiner phrase. It indicates a quantity (a couple) belonging to or associated with the speaker. As Ludwig examples show, it often precedes nouns referring to people, possessions, or creative works.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "couple of mine" serves as an informal possessive determiner, denoting a small number of items or people associated with the speaker. While grammatically acceptable, it is more suited to casual conversation than formal writing. Ludwig examples highlight its presence across diverse sources, including News & Media, Wiki and Science, but use is infrequent. The AI analysis suggests using alternatives like "a couple of my friends" or "two of my" in professional contexts for enhanced clarity and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of my friends

Specifies the relationship as friendship, adding a social dimension.

a few of my own

Emphasizes personal ownership or creation, differing from a general association.

two belonging to me

Highlights explicit ownership, suitable for formal contexts.

a pair that I possess

Focuses on possession, implying control or authority.

some associates of mine

Introduces a formal relationship, implying professional or business connections.

a brace of my items

Emphasizes items belonging to oneself

a couple of my works

Highlights creative or intellectual property, focusing on personal achievement.

a handful of my contacts

Emphasizes a small selection from a larger network, highlighting personal connections.

several pieces of mine

Focuses on individual components within a collection, emphasizing personal contribution.

two from my collection

Highlights inclusion within a personal assortment, focusing on curatorial ownership.

FAQs

What does "couple of mine" mean?

The phrase "couple of mine" refers to a small number (usually two) of items or people that belong to or are associated with the speaker. It's an informal way of saying "a couple of my friends" or "a pair of mine."

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

You can use "couple of mine" to refer to possessions or acquaintances, such as, "I'm bringing a couple of mine to the party," or "A couple of mine are getting married soon."

What are some alternatives to "couple of mine"?

Alternatives include "a couple of my friends", "two of my", or "a pair of mine" depending on the specific context.

Is "couple of mine" grammatically correct?

While "couple of mine" might sound slightly informal, it's generally considered acceptable in casual conversation. More formal contexts may benefit from phrases like "a couple of my colleagues" or "two of my items".