couple of sequences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "couple of sequences" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to two or a few sequences in a casual or informal context. For example, "I analyzed a couple of sequences to identify patterns." Alternative expressions include "a few sequences" and "several sequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Red Dragon" was the first of the Lecter trilogy, and Lecter is only in a couple of sequences.

The New York Times

As it is, only a couple of sequences are campy enough to elicit "whoa, nelly" smiles.

The New York Times

Mr. Silver has provided a couple of sequences in which the ensemble members deliver rapid-fire one-liners in the manner of the old "Laugh-In" series.

The New York Times

"But the truth is it's not like 'There are a few things I'd fix' — it's more like 'There's a couple of sequences I'd keep.' " He shrugged.

The New Yorker

And there are a couple of sequences in which Mr. Kelly is seen walking in place against blurred black-and-white images that do indeed evoke the feeling of having fallen into the alternate universe of a film.

The New York Times

Though this musical features a couple of sequences in which Willy or Charlie sketches ideas into existence (via Jon Driscoll's charming projections), mostly we're presented with fantasies as faits accomplis.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In addition, there are a couple of sequence assembly pairs (containing Phred, Phrap, Consed), which are all part of the same package.

Bioinformatics

Furthermore, it has been shown that this coupling of sequences in the N-terminus and SID is important for SRPK1 activity regulation.

Biochemistry

Unlike other studies, however, our coupling of sequence analyses with bioassays demonstrates that many of the previously unknown microbes produce bioactive compounds.

Plosone

The model does not introduce the epistatic interactions and the population history dependence of immune selection, so as to display the coupling of sequence sites by genetic linkage alone and to be independent of specific immune interaction mechanisms between strains (see Discussion).

Genetics

The Pfam-A collection of multiple sequence alignments are produced by first establishing a hand-curated seed alignment of a couple of protein sequences from which a profile Hidden Markov Model is built which again is used to search for homologous sequences in primary sequence data bases.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing parts of a film, play, or book, use "couple of sequences" to highlight specific scenes or segments that stand out or are particularly relevant to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "couple of sequences" when referring to more than a small handful (around 2-4). Using "few", "several", or "many" would be more appropriate for larger quantities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "couple of sequences" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a noun, specifying a quantity of 'sequences'. It modifies a noun, indicating that there are two or a small number of sequences being referred to. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "couple of sequences" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to refer to a small number of sequences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and indicates that it appears in diverse contexts, predominantly in news, media, and scientific articles. While generally neutral in tone, it may be more appropriate in informal settings due to its casual nature. If the setting is very formal, more precise alternatives such as "two sequences" or "a small number of sequences" can be employed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

few sequences

Replaces "couple" with "few", suggesting a slightly less precise quantity, but maintains a similar meaning.

pair of sequences

Substitutes "couple" with "pair", emphasizing the dual nature of the sequences.

small number of sequences

Replaces "couple" with a more descriptive phrase indicating a limited quantity.

limited number of sequences

Highlights the limited nature of the quantity.

handful of sequences

Uses "handful" to indicate a small, indefinite number of sequences, implying a limited selection.

several sequences

Indicates more than just two sequences, introducing a degree of vagueness.

some sequences

Offers a general way to refer to an unspecified quantity of sequences.

set of sequences

Implies that the sequences are part of a distinct collection or group.

selection of sequences

Focuses on the act of choosing or presenting a specific group of sequences.

cluster of sequences

Emphasizes the grouping or arrangement of sequences.

FAQs

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

You can use "couple of sequences" to refer to a small number of scenes or segments in a film, play, or any other kind of narrative. For example, "The film had a "couple of sequences" that were particularly memorable."

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

Alternatives include "few sequences", "pair of sequences", or "handful of sequences", depending on the context and the degree of precision you want to convey.

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

While "couple of sequences" is generally acceptable, in very formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "two sequences" or "a small number of sequences".

What's the difference between "couple of sequences" and "several sequences"?

"Couple of sequences" typically refers to exactly two sequences, while "several sequences" indicates more than two but fewer than many. The choice depends on the actual number you are describing.