pair
- couple
‘a pair of’
A pair of things are two things of the same size and shape that are used together, such as shoes.
Someone has dropped a pair of gloves.
He bought a pair of hiking boots.
When you use a pair of like this, you can use either a singular or a plural form of a verb.
He wore a pair of shoes that were given to him by his mother.
A pair of shoes was stolen.
You also use a pair of to refer to something that has two main parts of the same size and shape, such as trousers, glasses, or scissors.
She has a new pair of glasses.
Do you have a pair of scissors I could use?
When you use a pair of like this, you use a singular form of a verb.
Who does this pair of jeans belong to?
A good pair of binoculars is essential for watching birds.
‘a couple of’
In conversation and informal writing, you can refer to two people or things as a couple of people or things.
I asked a couple of friends to help me.
We played a couple of games of tennis.
You use a plural form of a verb with a couple of.
A couple of guys were standing by the car.
On the table were a couple of mobile phones.
Be careful
Don't use ‘a couple of’ in formal writing.
Don't use ‘a couple of’ in formal writing.
referring to two people as a ‘couple’
A couple consists of two people who have a romantic or sexual relationship, for example a husband and wife or boyfriend and girlfriend.
In Venice we met a South African couple.
Married couples will get tax benefits.
You usually use a plural form of a verb with couple.
A couple were sitting together on the bench.