| 词组 | couple |
| 释义 | couple ◊ 'a pair of' A pair of things are two things of the same size and shape that are used together, such as shoes. ...a pair of new 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 with it. It is likely that a new pair of shoes brings more happiness to a child than a new car brings to a grown man. He put on a pair of brown shoes which were waiting there for him. You also use a pair of when you are referring to something which has two main parts of the same size and shape, such as trousers, glasses, or scissors. She put on a pair of glasses. There would be a razor in the bathroom or a pair of scissors. When you use a pair of like this, you use a singular form of a verb with it. On a hook behind the door was an old pair of grey trousers. A large pair of tongs sends voltage through metal cups. ◊ 'a couple of' A couple of people or things are two people or things. They've been helped by a couple of newspaper reporters. We'd had a couple of dances. You use a plural form of a verb with a couple of. There were a couple of tables littered with saucepans. On the hallstand were a couple of periodicals. Note that you do not use a couple of in formal writing. ◊ referring to two people as a 'pair' Two people who do something together or are involved in a relationship together can be referred to as a pair. This is a slightly humorous use. They'd always been a devoted pair. They were a somewhat sinister pair. When pair is used like this, you use a plural form of a verb with it. The pair were wanted for the theft of certain jewellery. ◊ referring to two people as a 'couple' You refer to two people as a couple when they have an intimate relationship such as that of husband and wife or boyfriend and girlfriend. In Venice we met a South African couple. This would raise pensions for married couples considerably. You usually use a plural form of a verb with couple. Behind me a couple were pushing a pram. |
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