Is it 'The next couple is' or 'The next couple are' ?

Sneaky Peaky

Sneaky Peaky

Sneaky Peaky

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Further to the 'an HDMI' or 'a HDMI' cable debate, the wife was watching Dancing on Ice the other night ;) and when they announce who's staying and who's going good old Phil always says..

"'And the next couple safe this week is" ...(insert random C list desperate celebrity here)

Now that's just wrong surely ? Just doesn't sound right to me. I'm sure Brucey used to say "The next couple dancing next week are"..(insert different desperate C list or washed up Cricketer/Rugby player here..)

I'm right though aren't I ? :D
 
There's no hard and fast rule on this. Some style guides say you should use 'is' for when the couple are a single unit (so it would be 'the next couple to dance is'), but you should use 'are' when the fact that there are multiple people is important (i.e. 'the couple are having an argument'). I'd argue this is the most sensible one. But then some style guides (For example the Times') say you should use singular ('the next couple is'), and some (BBC radio news for example) use plural ('the next couple are').
All style guides though say you should be consistent. So pick one, and stick with it.

Note - virtually all of this was paraphrased from Wikipedia, but the sources are accurate.
 
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I'd say it depends on context, depending on whether you're referring to a couple as a singular object, or a couple as a pair of objects.

The next couple is Simon Monkeypants and Gertrude Wobblebottom.

The next couple are making their way out.
 
"Couple" can be singular or plural, depending on the context and the modifying noun or verb.

Thus:

  • "The couple are planning their holiday together"

  • There are a couple of birds in the tree"

  • "They are an unusual couple"

  • "That is an unusual couple"
 
Ahh ok - some interesting info there many thanks.

I still think it should be 'are' based on the fact they go on to name the couple individually and that's why it sounds so odd to refer in the singular..

ie. "The next couple to be skating next week is Todd Whatasadloser and Anna Ratherfitprofessional" sounds just wrong to me
 
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Evangelion said:
"Couple" can be singular or plural, depending on the context and the modifying noun or verb.

Thus:

  • "The couple are planning their holiday together"

  • There are a couple of birds in the tree"

  • "They are an unusual couple"

  • "That is an unusual couple"
Click to expand...

this is what i thought tbh...
 
Sneaky Peaky said:
Ahh ok - some interesting info there many thanks.

I still think it should be 'are' based on the fact they go on to name the couple individually and that's why it sounds so odd to refer in the singular..

ie. "The next couple to be skating next week is Todd Whatasadloser and Anna Ratherfitprofessional" sounds just wrong to me
Click to expand...

Doesn't sound right to me. I think they should be saying "The next couple are Todd Whatasadloser and Anna Ratherfitprofessional", since they are referring to a plurality of persons.

Of course, if they said "The next couple is from Bristol", that would also be correct.
 
The fleet is at anchor
The fleet are at anchor.

The team is triumphant
The team are triumphant

The couple is skating
The couple are skating

To me only one of each pair sounds right, however damned if I can say why. The first two sound right to me with "is", and the last sounds right with "are".
 
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