couple of siblings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "couple of siblings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two or more siblings in a casual or informal context. Example: "I have a couple of siblings who live in different cities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

We present here the identification of five additional MTO1 mutant subjects (two couples of siblings, and a sporadic case) who also present with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and lactic acidosis, thus, strengthening a consistent genotype/phenotype correlation.

Human Mutation

Even my grandfather has a couple of renegade siblings who have hitched up with non-Indians.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I know who to talk to, seek out". Her children are aged 17, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10 and 5. Genilson, the youngest and nicknamed Smiley by everyone who meets him, heads off to school with a couple of his siblings.

BBC

Knowing that siblings are often separated in the foster care system, the couple made it clear that they were ready, willing, and able to take a pair of siblings.

HuffPost

Missing mothers abound in "Housekeeping," but I've found myself thinking these last couple of days about siblings.

The New York Times

Lauren Child's stories about a couple of cheeky, happy siblings are the kind of kids' entertainment grown-ups can easily sit through: sharp-eyed observation coupled with gentle humour has always made it a treat, in both book and TV form.

The Guardian

I took my dad with me and a couple of Alan's siblings and we went up and saw him.

BBC

We extend our analysis of kin influence beyond the couple's parents by also taking into account the effects of the presence of the couple's siblings, other relatives, and household members who have no genetic relationship to the couple.

Human Nature

Then, along with a couple of Pushpa's eight siblings, we creaked up the wooden staircase and sat on the veranda, which overlooked sweeping stairways of golden rice terraces edged with balustrades of bamboo and banana trees.

The New York Times - Travel

"I woke up one morning and found it on the easel, in place of the scratchy, silly daub that I'd been working on the day before". The drawing impressed a couple of Keating's friends, siblings who were junk dealers in Kew.

Forbes

Matched human-human stools from two people in the same household were available for 112 people (72.7%) including 17 sets of siblings, 13 couples, and 26 children and parent/guardian pairs.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "couple of siblings", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to two siblings. If the number is ambiguous, consider using "two siblings" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming "couple of siblings" always means exactly two. While it typically refers to two, it can sometimes informally mean 'a few'. For precise communication, specify "two siblings" if you need to be exact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "couple of siblings" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a determiner phrase, where "couple" acts as a determiner specifying the quantity of "siblings". Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

News & Media

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Science

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "couple of siblings" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote two siblings. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While "couple" generally implies two, it's important to ensure the context provides clarity. Alternatives such as "pair of siblings" or specifying "two siblings" can enhance precision. The phrase maintains a neutral register, fitting well in various communication styles, from news articles to casual conversation. Given its clear and straightforward meaning, it remains a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two siblings

Specifies the exact number of siblings as two.

pair of siblings

Replaces "couple" with "pair", maintaining the meaning of two siblings.

a sibling duo

Uses "duo" to emphasize the pair aspect of the siblings.

few siblings

Uses "few" instead of "couple", suggesting a small number of siblings, not necessarily just two.

some siblings

Employs "some" which could mean two or more siblings, indicating an indefinite quantity.

a handful of siblings

Indicates a small, manageable number of siblings.

a set of siblings

Emphasizes that the siblings belong to a group.

several siblings

Suggests more than two siblings, implying a small group.

a brace of siblings

Uses "brace", an archaic term for a pair, adding a formal tone.

a number of siblings

Indicates an unspecified quantity of siblings.

FAQs

How to use "couple of siblings" in a sentence?

You can use "couple of siblings" to refer to two siblings, as in "I know "couple of siblings" who are both doctors".

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

You can use alternatives like "pair of siblings", "two siblings", or "few siblings" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "couple of siblings" or "pair of siblings"?

Both ""couple of siblings"" and "pair of siblings" are correct and interchangeable when referring to two siblings.

What's the difference between "couple of siblings" and "few siblings"?

"Couple of siblings" typically means two, while "few siblings" implies a small number, usually more than two but not many.