Is couple a collective noun? Is couple a common noun? Is couple a concrete noun? Which type of noun is couple?
Welcome, students! When we talk about two people who are married or in a romantic relationship, we use the word 'couple'. A couple is a collective noun because it names a group of people (specifically two) as a single unit. It is also a common noun as it refers to a general type of pair. Let's explore these ideas.
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Couple is a Collective Noun for a pair of people.
Couple is also a Common and Concrete Noun.
The word 'couple' is a collective noun because it names a group of two people as a single entity or unit. Collective nouns represent a whole made of parts.
- In the sentence, "The couple went for a walk," the word 'couple' stands for two people acting together.
- 'Couple' is also a common noun because it's a general term. If we name a specific couple, like "Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan are a famous couple," then 'Shah Rukh Khan' and 'Gauri Khan' would be proper nouns.
- Because a couple refers to real people, it is also a concrete noun.
Functions of 'Couple' in a Sentence
As a collective noun, 'couple' can serve various functions in a sentence:
- As a Subject: The couple bought a new house.
- As a Direct Object: The photographer took a picture of the couple.
- As an Object of a preposition: The gift was for the newly-married couple.
- As a Subject Complement: They are a lovely couple.
Different Uses of the Noun 'Couple'
The word 'couple' has a few related meanings:
- For People (Collective): Used for two people in a romantic relationship.
Example: A married couple, a young couple. - For Things (Informal): It can also informally mean 'a few' or 'two' of any item.
Example: I will be back in a couple of minutes. She ate a couple of biscuits.
'Couple' (Common Noun) vs. Specific Couples (Proper Nouns)
It is important to understand the difference between the common noun 'couple' and the proper nouns that are the names of specific couples.
| Common Noun | Proper Noun (Specific Name) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| couple | Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan | Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan are a famous couple in Bollywood. |
| couple | Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma | A famous celebrity couple is Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma. |
| couple | Romeo and Juliet | The most famous fictional couple is Romeo and Juliet from the play by William Shakespeare. |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a group of two people called?
A group of two people, especially in a romantic context, is called a couple. The word pair can also be used for any two things or people together.
2. Is 'couple' a collective noun?
Yes, 'couple' is a collective noun because it refers to a pair of people as a single group or unit.
3. What is the difference between 'a couple of' and 'a few'?
Traditionally, 'a couple of' means exactly two. 'A few' means a small number, usually three or more. However, in informal speech, many people use 'a couple of' to mean a small, indefinite number, similar to 'a few'.
4. What are the other meanings of 'couple'?
Besides a romantic pair, 'couple' can informally mean "two" or "a small number" of any items, such as "a couple of books" or "a couple of days."
5. Is 'couple' a countable noun?
Yes, 'couple' is a countable noun. You can count one couple or many couples (e.g., "Three couples attended the party.").
Worksheet & Exercises
Identify the Noun Type
Identify the nouns in the following sentences as Collective, Common, Proper, or Abstract.
- The couple celebrated their anniversary.
- A choir of singers performed at the church.
- The government cabinet met to discuss the issue.
- A cadre of professionals managed the project.
- The crew prepared the ship for its long voyage.
- A cackle of hyenas could be heard.
- The cast of actors received great acclaim.
- A cete of badgers disappeared into their sett.
- A chain of mountains dominated the landscape.
- A charm of goldfinches visited the garden.
Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blank with an appropriate collective noun from the list below.
Word List: Cabinet, Cackle, Cadre, Caravan, Carillon, Cartload, Cast, Committee, Company, Catalogue, Cauldron, Cavalcade, Century, Cete, Chain, Charm, Chest, Chine, Chirm, Choir, Couple.
- That lovely _______ has been married for twenty years.
- The whole _______ of the play went out for dinner after the show.
- The Prime Minister appointed a new _______.
- A _______ of badgers is a rare sight.
- A _______ of hyenas can be very noisy.
- The _______ of singers practiced for the concert.
- A _______ of drawers stood in the corner of the room.
- We were impressed by the _______ of cars for the royal wedding.
- A _______ of magpies is also called a tiding.
- The farmer brought a _______ of hay from the field.
Quizzes on Nouns
Quiz 1: True or False
Read the statements and decide if they are True or False.
- 'Couple' is a proper noun.
- 'Romeo and Juliet' are proper nouns.
- A collective noun can refer to a pair of people.
- In "The couple is happy," 'couple' is a collective noun.
- 'Pair' is not a collective noun.
Quiz 2: Multiple Choice Question
Choose the correct option for each question.
- Which of the following is a collective noun?
(a) person (b) duo (c) singer - A group of two people in a relationship is a:
(a) Team (b) Class (c) Couple - Which of these is a proper noun?
(a) husband (b) wife (c) Ram - A 'deck' is a group of:
(a) stairs (b) cards (c) ships - A 'troupe' is a group of:
(a) performers (b) soldiers (c) experts
Discover More Collective Nouns
Curious about other fascinating names for groups? Dive into our collection!