my couple

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'my couple' is not technically correct in written English.
'My couple' may be used in spoken English when referring to a couple you know (e.g. my couple friends, Tom and Karen). However, 'my couple' is not used in written English; instead, you should use 'the couple' or 'the two of them'. For example, "The couple went on a romantic getaway last weekend".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

But I've had my couple of wins over him.

The New York Times - Sports

I learned more from my couple of negative experiences than from the successes.

The New York Times

"Every dog has its day and thankfully it was my couple of days.

The Guardian - Sport

Please, I think, please let my couple come by, let me see their faces at last, let me take their arms.

The New Yorker

Determinedly, all that day at school, I held Charlie at bay, inventing games to play with my couple of oddball friends.

The New Yorker

All of which means that my couple of hours spent with him at the kitchen table of his big Edwardian family house in Hertfordshire quickly becomes a playful tussle to get him to take himself and his success seriously.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

All of the my couples have late-comers.

Huffington Post

"My couples are averaging over 30 years together," he said.

Huffington Post

I always tell my couples that it's 50-50..

Vice

One who deserves the same rights as my coupled counterparts?

Vice

That's what I based my couples on.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific couple you know, use "the couple I know" or specify their names instead of the grammatically questionable "my couple". For example, "The couple I know, Tom and Karen, are visiting this weekend."

Common error

Avoid using "my" directly before "couple" in formal writing. This phrasing is generally considered incorrect. Instead, rephrase to clarify the relationship or use "the couple".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my couple" functions as a possessive determiner followed by a noun. However, its grammatical correctness is questionable. Ludwig indicates this usage is not technically correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "my couple" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal written English. While it might appear in informal speech, more precise alternatives such as "the couple I know" or specifying the individuals by name are recommended. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrasing should be avoided in formal contexts. The data suggests that occurrences of "my couple" are rare and primarily found in news and media sources. To ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy, opting for the suggested alternatives is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my pair

Replaces "couple" with "pair", implying two items or individuals belonging to the speaker.

my two

Directly specifies the quantity, suitable when referring to a limited number of items or people.

the couple I know

Adds specificity, indicating a particular couple known to the speaker.

the two of them

Refers to a specific pair, emphasizing their individuality within a context.

my duo

Uses "duo" as a synonym for "couple", appropriate for describing two people working together.

the pair

More formal and generic, suitable when the specific individuals are less important than the fact that they are a pair.

the aforementioned couple

Adds formality, useful in legal or academic contexts when referring back to a couple previously mentioned.

the happy couple

Emphasizes the joyous nature of the relationship, often used in celebratory contexts.

the dating couple

Highlights the romantic aspect, specifying that the individuals are romantically involved but not yet married.

the married couple

Clarifies the marital status, indicating that the individuals are legally married.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "my couple"?

No, the phrase "my couple" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal written English. It's better to say "the couple I know" or rephrase to be more specific.

What can I say instead of "my couple" when referring to two people I know?

You can use phrases like "the couple I know", "the two of them", or simply refer to them by name. For example, "John and Mary are coming to dinner".

How can I properly use "couple" in a sentence?

Use "couple" as a noun to refer to two people in a relationship or two things considered together. For example, "The couple went on vacation", or "I need a couple of days to finish the project".

What's the difference between "the couple" and "a couple"?

"The couple" refers to a specific pair that has already been identified, while "a couple" refers to any two people or things. For example, "The couple I met at the party are very nice" versus "I need "a couple" of apples from the store".