there were a couple

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there were a couple" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a small number of items or people exist or were present. Example: "At the event, there were a couple of interesting speakers who shared their insights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were a couple of interested parties.

The New York Times - Magazine

There were a couple of novel twists.

The New York Times - Arts

There were a couple of other signals.

The Economist

There were a couple of standout performances.

The New York Times

There were a couple of hiccups.

The Economist

"There were a couple of females involved".

The New York Times

Yeah, there were a couple of fatalities.

The Guardian

"There were a couple of other mistakes.

The New York Times - Sports

There were a couple of notable exceptions.

The Guardian - Business

"There were a couple of false starts.

The Guardian - Books

There were a couple of nifty sideswipes.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there were a couple" to clearly indicate a small, indefinite number (around two) when the exact count isn't important or known. It's more conversational than formal.

Common error

Avoid using "there were a couple" when you actually mean 'few' (more than two but still a small number). A couple specifically suggests around two, so 'few' is better when the quantity is slightly larger but still limited.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were a couple" functions as an existential quantifier, indicating the presence of a small number (approximately two) of something. It’s a common way to introduce the existence of a limited quantity, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there were a couple" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the existence of approximately two items or individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is prevalent in news and media. While versatile, it's more suitable for general and conversational contexts. For formal or precise writing, consider alternatives like "there were a few" or providing an exact number. Be mindful of the slightly informal tone and choose the most appropriate alternative depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there were a few

Indicates a slightly less specific quantity than "a couple", still implying a small number.

there were some

A more general way to indicate that a certain number of items or individuals existed.

a couple existed

Reorders the sentence structure while maintaining the same core meaning.

a handful were present

Implies a slightly smaller quantity, suggesting the number could be counted on one hand.

several were available

Suggests a slightly larger quantity than "a couple", implying more than two but still a limited number.

a small number existed

A more formal way to express the same idea of a limited quantity.

two or three were there

Specifies a range around the concept of 'a couple', offering a more precise estimation.

not many were around

Expresses a low quantity from a negative perspective, highlighting the scarcity.

a limited number occurred

Implies that the total count was small and that this restriction was important

only a few were identified

Indicates that the amount was limited and it was difficult to find or single out more

FAQs

How do I use "there were a couple" in a sentence?

"There were a couple" is typically used to indicate that there were approximately two of something. For example, "There were a couple of apples left in the basket" or "There were a couple of people waiting outside".

What's a more formal way to say "there were a couple"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "there were a few" or "there were several". These options are suitable when you want to maintain a professional or academic style.

Is it ever incorrect to use "there were a couple"?

While generally acceptable, using "there were a couple" might be inappropriate in highly formal contexts where precision is crucial. In such cases, it is better to provide an exact number if known or opt for a more formal alternative.

What can I say instead of "there were a couple" when the number is unknown?

If the exact number is unknown, consider alternatives like "there were some", "there were a number", or "there were several" to indicate an indefinite but small quantity.