Linked Questions
19 questions linked to/from What does “a couple” mean to you, and what does “a few” mean to you?
1
vote
1
answer
27k
views
Do I have a couple of questions or a few? [duplicate]
I know what the dictionary definitions are for few and couple. Not looking for reciting the definition or etymology.
I would like someone to tell me in common usage is it appropriate to call 3 of ...
- 16.9k
0
votes
1
answer
8k
views
How Many is "A Few"? [duplicate]
I'm preparing some marketing materials for my boss, and one section contains the phrase "Here are a few examples:". The list that follows contains two items, which strikes me as being incorrect, ...
- 721
1
vote
1
answer
3k
views
Does "a couple of" always mean exactly two? [duplicate]
As in the title. Does the expression a couple of always have to mean exactly two (like a pair of) or can it mean more (things/objects)? I know a couple, at least in one of its meanings, means a pair (...
- 609
-1
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Can use this expression "Couple questions" for more than two questions ? [duplicate]
I mean when we mention couple , we make a reference to two stuffs.
But I want to use it in a title to mean more than that. is this correct ?
To illustrate that: is the following title correct ?
...
- 99
4
votes
2
answers
118
views
Approximate values of amount modifiers [duplicate]
This is an area of English that I consistently have trouble with. Consider the following sentences.
I have a couple of books on my desk.
I have a bunch of books on my desk.
I have a number of books ...
- 288
0
votes
1
answer
225
views
Strict Definition of "Few" [duplicate]
I've seen other questions on the usage of "few", but I'm wondering if there is an official definition on the numerical value of the word. The common rule seems to be a couple is two, a few is three or ...
user62908
1
vote
0
answers
142
views
Couple, few and several [duplicate]
During typical conversation, how would one define couple, few and several? I have read the actual definitions; however, they appear to be a bit vague. My thoughts are:
A couple is two.
A few is ...
24
votes
5
answers
35k
views
Why are numbers usually written twice in contracts?
In contracts numbers are usually written twice: in numerical and literal form.
I understand the vast majority of text in a typical contract can be safely deleted without impacting the core message ...
- 341
20
votes
3
answers
107k
views
What is the proper usage of "quite a few"?
I found the following definitions of "quite a few" in dictionaries:
Merriam-Webster: many
Wiktionary: An indefinite and somewhat large number; more than a few but fewer than a lot; a fair number of....
- 22k
9
votes
6
answers
3k
views
What is the upper bound on "several"?
In this answer on Stack Overflow, the term "several" is used as an indeterminate number, the actual value of which is literally in the quintillions:
Zero is one of several values that can be ...
- 193
13
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Is 'couple' ever used in the sense of 'some'?
Is the usage of the word couple (as in, "I want to ask a couple of questions...") to mean 'some' or 'few' correct (as in, interpreting given example to mean "I want to ask a few questions")?
As a ...
- 1,620
3
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Blunt, brusque, curt, and terse -- is there a gradation of connotation here?
I have two related questions.
Do each of these 4 words have negative connotation regarding intent? (E.g., rudeness, malice, inappropriateness, etc.)
If so, is there a gradation (or scale) of ...
6
votes
2
answers
18k
views
How many is many? [closed]
Many is a great word for its ambiguity. You needn't know the actual number and you're still fine to say many. It lets you speak without knowing, or focus on the main idea without getting lost in the ...
- 4,943
2
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Is it considered normal to say "many millions"?
For a poem I'm writing for my English class, in order to fit in some consonance, I plan on saying
Many millions of miles
But I am wondering if this is correct grammar, as millions already implies ...
0
votes
1
answer
15k
views
In formal writing, is there any difference between "couple" and "some"?
For example in a résumé, are
Experience in a couple of rendering tools
and
Experience in some rendering tools
the same from the point of view of formality?
user29020
2
votes
4
answers
508
views
few followed by fewer issue?
"In X, few had been to town Y. Even fewer aspired to go to town Z."
Are these two sentences together correct?
Few technically means a small number that could be as low as zero. Based on that, does "...
- 968
0
votes
2
answers
387
views
A word between "several" and "many"
One
Couple
Few
Some
Several
(Any word that fits in here?)
Many
...
Example sentence:
A cycle time of ___ seconds is achievable.
(___ here means a quantity around, say, 10 to 30.)
- 285
1
vote
1
answer
86
views
What is the exact meaning of 'give me a pair of'? [closed]
Does a pair always means '2 of something' or can it be used more generically to indicate 'a few of something'? What is the exact amount indicated by 'a pair'?
Is there a different meaning whether a ...
- 111
0
votes
0
answers
31
views
Restrictions on ranges indicated by quantifiers in count usages
I've a query regarding common quantifiers used with count usages. I've searched in various resources such as online dictionaries, but I couldn't find out the fruitful solution.
Here is the problem:
...
