couple rounds of

USAGE SUMMARY

'couple rounds of' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
The phrase is usually used to refer to a multiple repeat of something. For example, "We played a couple rounds of golf this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Running backs are being targeted early this season in the world of fantasy football with owners scrambling to gobble up two top runners in the first couple rounds of drafts.

The New York Times - Sports

Circuit City may be bringing in liquidators to help clear out the remaining merchandise, but watch out for the first couple rounds of deals.

TechCrunch

The idea may have sounded a little abstract at the time, but it got a lot clearer when Chen dropped by the TechCrunch New York office to play a couple rounds of Catan with me.

TechCrunch

Eh, maybe just enough for a couple rounds of fancy tropical drinks.

Huffington Post

So it was great to have him come down, and we also got a good couple rounds of golf in too.

Huffington Post

In the first couple rounds of our Living Room Conversation we discussed what we all had in common; we were all students who shared fears of debt, time and failure.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Its N-terminal, nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) couples rounds of nucleotide hydrolysis to stages of opening and closing of its C-terminal, substrate-binding domain.

EMBO Journal

Regular Joes can use the Nintendo Wii to lose a couple of pounds, yes, but now it looks like doctors can also benefit from a couple of rounds of Marble Mania.

TechCrunch

The protesters made it through a couple of rounds of chants –- "What do we want?

The New York Times

Serve it on a couple of rounds of buttered sourdough toast.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the summer of 1939, King George VI and Franklin Delano Roosevelt had a couple of rounds of Martinis.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "couple rounds of", ensure the context makes it clear what constitutes a 'round'. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the extent of the repeated action.

Common error

Avoid using "couple rounds of" when referring to something that is continuous rather than iterative. For example, instead of "a couple rounds of studying", use "a couple of hours of studying" to convey a block of time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "couple rounds of" functions as a quantifier, specifying a small number of iterations or instances of an activity. It modifies a noun, indicating that the activity has occurred more than once but not extensively. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "couple rounds of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a small number of repeated actions or instances. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and reveals its usage across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. Although the phrase is considered neutral in tone, alternatives may be preferred for more formal writing. Remember, clarity is key: always ensure the context specifies the scope of a round. While generally acceptable, be mindful of potentially more precise alternatives and be careful not to use the expression if the context refers to something continuous instead of iterative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a couple of stages of

Emphasizes the sequential nature of an action in multiple stages, rather than repeated instances.

several iterations of

Emphasizes the iterative nature of the process, highlighting that the action is repeated multiple times.

a handful of plays of

Replaces "rounds" with "plays," appropriate when the context involves games or performances.

a few repetitions of

Focuses on the act of repeating something, suggesting a small quantity of repetitions.

a pair of sessions of

Replaces rounds with sessions, which can be useful for describing things such as therapy or training.

a number of installments of

Highlights that the action occurs in separate installments or stages, rather than one continuous action.

some bouts of

Implies shorter or less structured sessions of some activities.

multiple volleys of

Highlights the reciprocal nature of an action between two or more participants.

two periods of

Focuses on distinct periods during which the activity occurs, instead of repeated instances.

a couple stretches of

Implies that the action is extended or continuous in segments.

FAQs

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

You can use "couple rounds of" to describe a few iterations of an activity, such as "We played a "couple rounds of" golf" or "The negotiations went through a "couple rounds of" revisions".

What are some alternatives to "couple rounds of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "several iterations of", "a few repetitions of", or "a number of installments of".

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

While "couple rounds of" is generally acceptable, it leans towards the informal side. In formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "two iterations of" or specify the exact number of repetitions.

What does "couple rounds of" imply about the number of iterations?

"Couple" typically means two, so "couple rounds of" suggests two iterations. However, it can sometimes imply a small, indefinite number, similar to "a few". Be sure to use more specific number if this is needed, something like "three rounds of".