a couple of
Linguistic Reminder
(This reminder is available in English only.)
Problem
Writers are often confused about when to include the preposition of after the phrase a couple. Is it better to say a couple friends or a couple of friends? Do we do things a couple more times or a couple of more times?
Solution
a couple of + noun
When a couple of is used before a noun, writers often drop the preposition of, mistakenly using the noun couple as an adjective. This usage is informal and should be avoided in writing. The noun phrase a couple needs the preposition of to link it to another noun.
- Giovanni is having a couple of [not a couple] friends over for dinner.
a couple of + adjective + noun
When a couple of is used before an adjective modifying a noun, the preposition of is needed to link the noun phrase a couple to the noun following the adjective.
- Brenda bought a couple of [not a couple] green papayas at the supermarket.
a couple of + a number
When a couple of is used before a number such as dozen, hundred or thousand, the preposition of is needed to link the noun phrase a couple to the number.
- Ian gathered a couple of [not a couple] dozen eggs from the henhouse this morning.
a couple + word of comparison or degree
When a couple is used immediately before a word or phrase of comparison or degree (e.g. more, fewer, too few, too many), the preposition of is dropped.
- Matilda ate a couple more [not a couple of more] slices of pizza than Serge did.
However, if the word of comparison or degree appears later in the sentence, a couple is followed by of.
- Matilda ate a couple of slices more than Serge did.
Linguistic Recommendation reference number
REM-43/2015-02
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