couple this with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'couple this with' is correct and can be used in written English.
It's often used when you want to suggest adding or combining something with some other thing. For example: "If you want to create a winning recipe, couple this with fresh herbs and plenty of seasoning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Couple this with fears over continuing trade wars and this week's wobble in US technology stocks and the scene is set for heavy weather.

The Times

Couple this with an extremely rare five-year drought.

The New York Times

Couple this with a failing health care system.

The New York Times

Couple this with the failure of the pre-match hyperbole to acknowledge England's own batting ills.

Independent

What is more, we couple this with an assumption that we ourselves are reasonable travelling companions.

The Economist

Couple this with their continued defensive lapses and it's no surprise they have struggled for wins.

The Guardian - Sport

When you couple this with my colouring, the travelling community is surely a possibility.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Couple this with a helmet camera and you're a rolling episode of Police, Camera, Action!

The Guardian

Couple this with visualizations of the same flowing data in 3D projections, and the workings of the brain become navigable.

Stanford University

Couple this with using a virtual assistant and we have all but removed admin functions from our daily routine.

The Guardian

They can couple this with a dramatic Campaign Finance Reform proposal along the lines supported by Common Cause.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "couple this with" to clearly link a secondary factor or piece of information to a primary one, creating a sense of combined impact or consequence. For example, "The company faced declining sales; couple this with increased operating costs, and the result was a significant loss."

Common error

While "couple this with" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. In formal contexts, consider varying your phrasing with more sophisticated alternatives like "furthermore" or "in addition to this".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "couple this with" serves as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, linking two related ideas or facts together. As demonstrated by Ludwig, the phrase indicates that the second idea adds to or intensifies the first. It is commonly used to introduce a compounding factor or result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "couple this with" is a versatile phrase used to introduce an additional, related element, with Ludwig highlighting its correct usage in various contexts. It functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase, adding depth and complexity to a preceding statement. While grammatically correct and very common, varying your phrasing in formal writing is advisable. As the examples on Ludwig demonstrate, this phrase is widely applicable across diverse topics and source types, especially in news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

together with this

Emphasizes the combined effect of two elements.

along with this

Similar in meaning but slightly more informal than "in addition to this".

combined with this

Highlights the merging or integration of elements.

paired with this

Implies a deliberate matching or pairing of elements.

besides this

Directly indicates something is additional or separate.

in addition to this

Formal alternative, emphasizing the additive nature of the information.

supplemented by this

Suggests that the added element enhances or completes the original one.

furthermore

A more formal transition to add more information.

moreover

Another formal way to add additional, supporting information.

on top of this

Informal expression indicating an additional burden or advantage.

FAQs

How can I use "couple this with" in a sentence?

Use "couple this with" to introduce an additional factor that enhances or compounds the initial statement. For example, "The project was delayed; couple this with budget cuts, and its completion is now uncertain."

What are some alternatives to "couple this with"?

You can use alternatives like "in addition to this", "along with this", or "together with this" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "paired with this" instead of "couple this with"?

While "paired with this" is grammatically correct, it implies a closer relationship or deliberate matching of elements. "Couple this with" is more general and suggests an additional, contributing factor.

What's the difference between "couple this with" and "combined with this"?

"Couple this with" simply adds another element, while "combined with this" implies a more integrated or synergistic relationship. The choice depends on the intended nuance.