these couple

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'these couple' is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to two people or two things in a particular set. For example, "We only have a few days left on our vacation, so let's make the most of these couple days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

In the beginning I remember dreading these couple of hours at the end of the day.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

These couple of friends agreed to read my work, and they loved it.

The Guardian

But perhaps one of the toughest hurdles for all for these couple is besting crummy statistics.

The New York Times

But the distance that we've traveled over these couple of weeks is remarkable".

The New York Times

Living across from us these couple years, you've made our being here just so much livelier.

The New Yorker

These couple of events in one department give consumers pause as to whether they would want ob/gyn care there".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Why these couples?

The New York Times - Books

These couples should stay married for life.

Independent

Do these couples provide any answers?

The New York Times

Then these couples face new problems.

The New York Times

We became one of these couples, too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "these couple", ensure the context clearly defines the specific items or people you're referring to. For example, "These couple of days have been productive."

Common error

Avoid using "this couple" when referring to more than one item or person. "This" implies singular, while "these" correctly denotes plural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "these couple" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, specifying a limited quantity of something. It indicates a particular group of two items or individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "these couple" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to refer to a specific pair or small group of items or individuals. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its broad acceptance, particularly in news and media. It functions as a determiner followed by a noun and serves to quantify and specify within a given context. While generally neutral, ensuring correct number agreement is important to avoid errors. For alternatives, consider "these few" or "these two" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember, "these couple" is used to refer to a plural number of items, whereas "this couple" refers to a singular entity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

these two

Explicitly states the number, removing any ambiguity about the quantity.

these few

Replaces "couple" with "few", suggesting a small, unspecified number greater than two.

these pair of

Adds "pair of" for emphasis on the duality, focusing on two distinct entities.

these handful of

Replaces "couple" with "handful", suggesting a small, manageable amount.

these several

Uses "several" instead of "couple", indicating a slightly larger but still limited quantity.

the two of them

Shifts the focus to a specific group of two, changing the structure to emphasize the individuals.

these duo of

More formal, replacing "couple" with "duo", implying a well-defined pair.

this twosome of

A more playful and informal way to indicate two people or items, substituting "couple" with "twosome."

these brace of

An older or more formal expression that replaces "couple" with "brace", typically used for game birds or hounds.

this small group of

Expands the phrase to describe a small group, implying more than just two items.

FAQs

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

You can use "these couple" to refer to a specific pair or a small number of items within a defined context. For example, "I'm focusing on "these couple of projects" this week".

What's the difference between "these couple" and "this couple"?

"These couple" refers to a plural number of items, whereas "this couple" refers to a singular entity, typically a romantic pair. Using "this" with a plural noun is grammatically incorrect.

Are there alternatives to the phrase "these couple"?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "these few", "these pair of", or "these two".

Is "these couple" considered formal or informal language?

"These couple" is generally considered neutral language, suitable for both casual and professional communication. More formal alternatives may exist, but this phrase is widely accepted.