every couple of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "every couple of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a frequency or occurrence that happens every few units of time or space, typically referring to time intervals. Example: "I go for a run every couple of days to stay fit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

EVERY couple of months, I cover a takeover bid.

The Economist

She smokes it every couple of hours.

The Economist

Things change every couple of weeks.

The New Yorker

Great films every couple of months.

The Guardian - Opinion

He visits every couple of months.

The New York Times

I read it every couple of years.

The Guardian - Books

The specials change every couple of weeks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expect a sprinkling of new desirables every couple of weeks.

The New York Times

"Every couple of pages I changed my opinion about Steven.

The New York Times

"That's pretty normal, every couple of weeks we do it.

The New York Times

No payments to Microsoft for upgrades every couple of years.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "every couple of", ensure the context clearly indicates the unit of time or measure being referred to (e.g., "every couple of days", "every couple of miles").

Common error

Be precise when using "every couple of". Avoid vagueness by clearly specifying the units (days, weeks, months, etc.) to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "every couple of" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating frequency or intervals. It specifies how often an action or event occurs, providing a sense of recurring periodicity as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

38%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "every couple of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate recurring events at intervals of approximately two units, most commonly time (days, weeks, months) or distance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it’s acceptable for general use, clarity is crucial; specifying the units prevents ambiguity. Alternatives like "every few" or more precise timeframes can be used depending on the desired level of accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every few

Emphasizes a less precise interval than "every couple of", suggesting a slightly broader timeframe.

at intervals of two

Highlights the specific numerical interval, offering a more precise and formal tone.

bi-

A prefix denoting 'twice' or 'every two', suitable for specific units like 'bi-weekly' or 'bi-monthly'.

each pair of

Focuses on instances considered in pairs, rather than a general frequency.

regularly every two

More formal and explicit, emphasizing the regularity of the two-unit interval.

at a frequency of two

Highly formal and technical, suitable for analytical or scientific contexts.

every set of two

Highlights the grouping aspect, emphasizing that things occur in pairs.

for each couple of

Adds a sense of distribution or allocation to the recurring events.

twice per

Highlights the 'two times' aspect with respect to a certain timeframe or entity.

on two occasions per

More verbose and descriptive, suitable for specifying actions across multiple occasions.

FAQs

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

Use "every couple of" to indicate something happens recurrently with an approximate interval of two units of time or distance. For instance, "I visit my parents "every couple of weeks"" or "There's a rest stop "every couple of miles" on this highway."

What are some alternatives to saying "every couple of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "every few", "every other", or specify the frequency more directly, such as "twice a week".

Is it better to use "every two" instead of "every couple of"?

While "every two" can be used, "every couple of" is generally more conversational and implies an approximation. "Every two" is more precise and suitable when accuracy is important.

What is the difference between "every couple of days" and "every few days"?

"Every couple of days" suggests a frequency close to two days, whereas "every few days" indicates a less precise, slightly more variable interval.