couple of quarters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "couple of quarters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small number of quarters, typically in the context of time or money. Example: "I need a couple of quarters to do my laundry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Earlier, they said it might take a couple of quarters.

The New York Times

Rising, after bumping along for a couple of quarters.

The Guardian - Tech

"Over a couple of quarters, brands will learn to utilize this".

The New York Times

Now it looks pretty certain to show negative growth for at least a couple of quarters.

Independent

"If we can't restart lending, we will have a painful couple of quarters".

The New York Times

"Clearly, the market knows the next couple of quarters are going to stink," Mr. Glaser said.

The New York Times

"Just because of a potential couple of quarters of a slowdown, we're not going to retrench".

The New York Times

The car weighed in light, so a couple of quarters were duct-taped on.

The New York Times

The benefits, he added, would come "definitely in the last couple of quarters of this year".

The New York Times

If they stay at these levels, profits will catch up over the next couple of quarters.

The New York Times

"It's a short-term problem hitting for a couple of quarters".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial performance or economic forecasts, using "couple of quarters" can provide a clear and concise timeframe for expected changes or trends. For example: "The company expects to see improved earnings in the next couple of quarters."

Common error

Avoid using "couple of quarters" when a more precise timeframe is available or necessary. If you have specific data about when improvements or changes are expected, provide that instead of relying on the vague "couple of quarters".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "couple of quarters" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes a timeframe, specifically referring to two financial or calendar quarters. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "couple of quarters" is a common and correct way to refer to a six-month period, particularly in business and financial contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and frequently used in reputable news sources like The New York Times and The Economist. While versatile, it's essential to use it when a precise timeframe isn't necessary, as overgeneralizing can reduce clarity. Alternatives such as "few quarters" or "two fiscal quarters" can offer more nuance. It is mostly used in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

few quarters

Emphasizes a small, indefinite number of quarters.

several quarters

Indicates more than a few but still a limited number of quarters.

pair of quarters

Highlights the exact number of two, offering a more precise alternative.

two fiscal quarters

Specifies that the quarters are within a fiscal year, adding clarity.

two business quarters

Emphasizes the context as business related, adding specificity.

a semester

Refers to an academic term, providing a context-specific synonym.

short period of time

Generalizes the duration, making it less specific than "couple of quarters".

brief duration

Emphasizes the brevity of the timeframe.

short timeframe

Focuses on the temporal aspect being limited.

limited time

Indicates a restricted amount of time, which can be longer or shorter.

FAQs

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

You can use "couple of quarters" to refer to a period of six months. For example, "The project is expected to be completed in a "couple of quarters"".

What can I say instead of "couple of quarters"?

Alternatives to "couple of quarters" include "few quarters", "several quarters", or specifying the actual time period (e.g., "six months").

Is it more appropriate to say "a couple of quarters" or "couple of quarters"?

"A couple of quarters" and "couple of quarters" are generally interchangeable. Using "a" adds a slight emphasis, but both forms are grammatically sound and commonly used.

Can "couple of quarters" be used in contexts other than business or finance?

Yes, while often used in business or financial contexts, "couple of quarters" can be used more broadly to refer to any six-month period. However, ensure the context is clear to avoid confusion if not related to financial quarters.