married couple

USAGE SUMMARY

'married couple' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to two people who are legally married. For example, "The married couple welcomed their new baby last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Young married couple.

The New Yorker

Married couple, four children.

The Guardian - Money

Married couple, both pensioners.

The Guardian - Money

Married couple, one child.

The Guardian - Money

It was a married couple moment.

The New York Times

Tells of a young married couple.

The New Yorker

Married couple in early 30s.

The Guardian - Money

Married couple, two children, self-employed.

The Guardian - Money

Married couple, both unemployed, two children 16.

The Guardian - Money

They were companions, not a married couple.

The New York Times - Books

This was their first deployment as a married couple.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or financial matters, use "married couple" to clearly denote the legal status and associated rights.

Common error

Avoid using "married couple" when referring to partners who are not legally married; use terms like "partners" or "couple" instead to ensure accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "married couple" functions primarily as a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used to denote two individuals legally united in marriage. Examples from the provided data illustrate its usage in diverse contexts, such as news reports and scientific articles.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "married couple" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term to describe two individuals legally joined in matrimony. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in a variety of contexts. As demonstrated by numerous examples from news articles, scientific studies, and general media, it serves to identify a specific social unit. While alternatives like "husband and wife" or "spouses" exist, "married couple" remains a clear and versatile choice, appropriate for both formal and informal communication, but users should be careful in the context if the relationship is legally recognized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

husband and wife

Focuses on the individual roles within the marriage.

spouses

A more formal and legal term for a married pair.

newlyweds

Refers specifically to a couple who have recently married.

man and woman in matrimony

A more verbose and traditional way of saying "married couple".

wedded pair

Emphasizes the ceremonial aspect of marriage.

life partners

Highlights the long-term commitment of the relationship.

domestic partners

Can refer to either a married or unmarried couple living together.

two people united in marriage

Focuses on the bond and legal status of the relationship.

couple living as husband and wife

Describes a couple who may or may not be legally married.

partners in marriage

Highlights the shared responsibilities and commitment within the marital relationship.

FAQs

How to use "married couple" in a sentence?

You can use "married couple" to describe two individuals who are legally married to each other. For example, "The "married couple" decided to buy a house together".

What can I say instead of "married couple"?

Alternatives include "husband and wife", "spouses", or, if recently married, "newlyweds", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "married couple" for same-sex marriages?

Yes, "married couple" is a perfectly acceptable and inclusive term for any two people legally married, regardless of gender.

What's the difference between "married couple" and "domestic partners"?

"Married couple" specifically refers to a legally recognized marriage, while "domestic partners" may have a legally recognized partnership without being married, or simply be cohabitating.