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How should I figure out it means a small number or two things when you say 'a couple of'? According to context?
13 Thg 10 2016 13:40
Câu trả lời · 8
A couple is always 2 in American English. No matter how it is used - "couple" refers to 2. For the most part, "a few" usually means from 3 to 6 or 7 (roughly). More than that, one might use the word "several".
13 tháng 10 năm 2016
The only time when 'a couple' means exactly two is when it's a noun referring to two people in a relationship. If you say 'There's a nice couple living next door', this means, for example, a husband and wife, or boyfriend and girlfriend. In most other cases, the number is less precise. The quantitive expression 'a couple of' means 'a few' - usually two or three. For example, we'd say 'a couple of days ago', if we can't remember whether something happened the day before yesterday, or the day before that.
13 tháng 10 năm 2016
Its same as in your language. Couple can mean two or it can mean few. It is ambiguous and not meant to be taken literally.
13 tháng 10 năm 2016
There is indeed ambiguous meaning in the word 'couple'. I would take it carefully when I'm using it. Thank you, Vince
13 tháng 10 năm 2016
I would always interpret 'a couple of' as being two. If I wanted a small (unspecified) number of items then I would ask for 'a few of'.
13 tháng 10 năm 2016
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