Author Topic: "a couple of" or "a couple" ? (Read 2387 times)

Victor · « **on:** June 16, 2009, 03:26:01 AM »

Lend me a couple of bucks -- I always use this one

Lend me a couple bucks

Which is right ? Gramatically , I mean. The first sounds right when speaking but I've seen people use the second form at times...

Joe Mynhardt · « **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2009, 03:53:58 AM »

Hi, Victor.

I would say the first one is correct when it comes to grammar.
The second one you can use in speech within a story, as it gives more of a human personality to your character.
Like someone who regulargy spunges money from his buddies.

ma100 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2009, 04:00:20 AM »

I would say the first one Victor.

bonitakale · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2009, 04:42:09 PM »

Yup, 'a couple of' is right. But more and more you hear -- and read -- the other. Give it a generation or so . . .

Bonita

Hugh · « **Reply #4 on:** June 17, 2009, 04:07:42 PM »

Depends on whether you are writing US or UK English.

Americans tend to say "A couple ..."

Brits say " A couple of ..."

Hugh

Nick · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2009, 04:38:48 PM »

I think 'lend me a couple bucks' is an elision - the word 'of' is understood and therefore omitted. You could therefore argue that this is a more efficient use of language.

American English typically makes more use of elision than UK English. Another example would be 'What you gonna do?' where both 'are' and 'going to' are elided.

Nick

Victor · « **Reply #6 on:** June 18, 2009, 03:49:10 AM »

Quote

Another example would be 'What you gonna do?' where both 'are' and 'going to' are elided.

Don't forget " I'ma"....a contraction of the already contracted "I'm gonna"...

Similarly we have, a half hour vs half an hour....what's that story, anyone please ?

fire-fly · « **Reply #7 on:** June 18, 2009, 04:16:34 AM »

I would say the first one Victor but here in Oz its "lend me a coupla bucks.

Victor · « **Reply #8 on:** June 18, 2009, 04:18:44 AM »

coupla bucks is everywhere....It's just a variation of "couple of" ,I guess, in the sense both sound the same

pb · « **Reply #9 on:** June 18, 2009, 01:07:59 PM »

yeh yeh blah de blah

are you gonna lend me the cash or wot

Author Topic: "a couple of" or "a couple" ? (Read 2387 times)

Victor

"a couple of" or "a couple" ?

Joe Mynhardt

Re: "a couple of" or "a couple" ?

ma100

Re: "a couple of" or "a couple" ?

bonitakale

Re: "a couple of" or "a couple" ?

Hugh

Re: "a couple of" or "a couple" ?

Nick

Re: "a couple of" or "a couple" ?

Victor

Re: "a couple of" or "a couple" ?

fire-fly

Re: "a couple of" or "a couple" ?

Victor

Re: "a couple of" or "a couple" ?

pb

Re: "a couple of" or "a couple" ?