more than couple

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than couple" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically intended to express a quantity greater than two but is not a commonly accepted expression. Example: "We need more than a couple of volunteers to help with the event."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Even wearing a binder daily for no more than couple of months can permanently alter the shape of the breasts.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The IFS said couples with children would gain more than couples without children who would, in turn, do better than single adults without children.

BBC

"We had a couple — more than a couple — of these episodic incidents of teenage insanity," he said in the interview.

The New York Times

He went on, "A couple of times — more than a couple — it was women and children in the car.

The New Yorker

But I had a couple of individual contacts – more than a couple – to get the feeling.

The Guardian - Sport

He can't last more than a couple of months.

The Guardian

They perhaps numbered no more than a couple of hundred.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was nothing, no more than a couple of dollars.

The Guardian - Opinion

Restoring this material restores more than a couple of scenes.

The New Yorker

"It will take more than a couple of late flights to move the needle".

The New York Times

Another independence vote in Quebec may be no more than a couple of years away.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "more than couple" in formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically correct alternatives such as "more than two" or "several".

Common error

Using "more than couple" can be ambiguous. To avoid confusion, specify the quantity more accurately with phrases like "more than a few" or "several".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than couple" functions as a determiner phrase, attempting to specify a quantity exceeding two. However, according to Ludwig, it's not considered standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "more than couple" is sometimes used, it's not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. As Ludwig AI points out, it's better to use more precise alternatives such as "more than two", "several", or "a few" to avoid ambiguity and maintain grammatical correctness. Predominantly found in informal contexts like news articles and wikis, this phrase should be avoided in formal writing to ensure clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than two

Replaces the informal "couple" with a precise numerical value.

more than a few

Emphasizes a small but indefinite quantity greater than two.

several

Indicates an unspecified number greater than two or three.

a number of

A more formal way to indicate multiple items or individuals.

more than a pair

Directly contrasts with the idea of a single pair.

a few

Implies a small quantity but still greater than one or two.

some

Indicates an unspecified quantity.

at least three

Specifies a minimum quantity.

a handful of

Suggests a small, manageable quantity.

various

Emphasizes diversity or variety more than quantity.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically sound way to say "more than couple"?

Instead of "more than couple", use phrases like "more than two", "more than a few", or "several" to express a quantity greater than two.

How can I use "more than two" correctly in a sentence?

For example, instead of saying "I need more than couple of volunteers", say "I need more than two volunteers".

Is "more than couple" ever appropriate in writing?

While occasionally used in informal speech, it is best to avoid "more than couple" in formal writing. Opt for more precise alternatives for clarity and grammatical correctness.

What are some alternative phrases to "more than couple" that I can use in my writing?

Consider using phrases like "a number of", "some", or "a handful of", depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.