How to say “a couple of” like a native speaker
Usually two things, but sometimes a small approximate number in informal speech. Use an exact number if precision matters.
All phrases · Workplace
Hear “a couple of” in real speech
Clip 1 · Sir Ken Robinson
Bring on the learning revolution! | Ken Robinson · 8:39
About this video
Ken Robinson calls for changes in education in this follow-up to his earlier TED talk. He questions the assumption that everyone needs the same route through college.
In context
But, you see, there are things we're enthralled to in education.A couple of examples.
One of them is the idea of linearity:
Clip 2 · Chris Lonsdale
How to learn any language in six months | Chris Lonsdale | TEDxLingnanUniversity · 16:39
About this video
Chris Lonsdale discusses his approach to learning a language more quickly. He recalls a long conversation on a train in China in which drawings, gestures and expressions helped him understand more of what was said.
In context
You got to get the muscles working right, so you can sound in a way that people will understand you.There's a couple of things you do.
One is that you hear how it feels, and feel how it sounds which means you have a feedback loop operating in your face,
Clip 3 · Amy Cuddy
Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are | Amy Cuddy | TED · 6:08
About this video
Amy Cuddy discusses body language and the idea that posture may influence how people feel. She asks the audience to notice their own positions and describes experiments involving different postures.
In context
You see it on their faces and their bodies, and they sit in their chair and they make themselves tiny, and they go like this when they raise their hand.I notice a couple of things about this.
One, you're not going to be surprised.
When to use “a couple of”
- Estimating a short wait: “I'll be ready in a couple of minutes.”
- Offering a snack: “There are a couple of apples left.”
Common learner mistake
Use a plural countable noun: “a couple of questions”, not “a couple of question”.
Possible connected-speech patterns in “a couple of”
“Of” is often weak and may lose its V in casual speech. “Couple” has its main stress on the first syllable.
Related phrases
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