couple of weeks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "couple of weeks" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a period of two weeks or approximately 14 days. Example: "I am going on vacation for a couple of weeks starting next Monday." "I need to finish this project within the next couple of weeks." "We're expecting a delivery in a couple of weeks, so we'll have to wait until then."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

38% A couple of weeks.

Forbes

Acupuncture worked for a couple of weeks.

The New York Times

Make it "a couple of weeks".

The New York Times

A couple of weeks ago, the I.M.F.

The New Yorker

After a couple of weeks they went.

The Economist

SARS maybe a couple of weeks.

The New Yorker

"Give it a couple of weeks.

The New Yorker

Maybe a couple of weeks.

The Guardian - Film

I'd take a couple of weeks off.

The New York Times

"It's a couple of weeks (for Jones).

Independent

That usually takes a couple of weeks.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "couple of weeks" when you need to indicate a short period of about 14 days in an informal context.

Common error

Avoid using "couple of weeks" when precision is crucial. If the exact number of days matters, specify "two weeks" or "fourteen days" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "couple of weeks" functions as an adverbial of time, specifying the duration of an event or activity. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "couple of weeks" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a period of approximately two weeks. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and understood. While versatile, it's best suited for informal or neutral contexts where exact precision isn't crucial. For more formal situations, alternatives like "period of two weeks" or "fortnight" may be preferable. Remember to always use the plural form "weeks". With its high frequency and general acceptance, "couple of weeks" remains a useful tool for expressing timeframes in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fortnight

A more formal and concise way of saying two weeks.

period of two weeks

A more literal and descriptive alternative.

approximately fourteen days

A precise and formal way of specifying the duration.

short period of time

Less specific, indicating a brief duration without quantifying it.

few weeks

Slightly less precise, implying a small number of weeks, but not necessarily exactly two.

several days

Signifies a duration of more than one day.

a short while

A more general term indicating a brief duration.

a brief period

A general way of mentioning a short time.

a matter of weeks

Implies the duration is relatively short.

within two weeks

Specifies that something will happen before the two-week period ends.

FAQs

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

You can use "couple of weeks" to indicate a period of approximately two weeks, as in, "I'll be away for a "couple of weeks" on vacation".

What is a more formal alternative to "couple of weeks"?

A more formal alternative to "couple of weeks" is "period of two weeks" or the word "fortnight".

Is "couple of week" grammatically correct?

No, "couple of week" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""couple of weeks"", with the plural "weeks".

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

"Couple of weeks" specifically means two weeks, while "few weeks" implies a small number of weeks, but not necessarily exactly two. It's less precise.