a couple days before vs a couple of days before

Both "a couple days before" and "a couple of days before" are commonly used phrases in English. However, the more grammatically correct and widely accepted version is "a couple of days before." The addition of "of" makes the phrase more precise and clear.

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 430 views

This phrase is commonly used in informal speech or writing, but it is less precise and grammatically correct compared to the alternative.

"a couple days before"

This phrase is often used in informal contexts when referring to a vague or approximate period of time before a certain event.

Examples:

I saw him a couple days before the party.
She called me a couple days before the deadline.
We met a couple days before the accident.
He left a couple days before the storm hit.
They arrived a couple days before the wedding.

Show examples from the web [+]

His girlfriend broke up wi him a couple days before.
Luc getting married a couple days before his visa runs out.
He came by, but it was a couple days before.
Okay, Tim, we've still got a couple days before the world record attempt.
Technical specs were supposedly leaked to a defense contractor a couple days before their official release.
When I was little, he died a couple days before my birthday.
We've only got a couple days before our next batch is due, and I need to get you up to speed.
Well, maybe she fudged something else, like this mysterious engagement to someone a couple days before she was murdered.
They told me a couple days before we made a trip down to Spain...
The Kingston coroner's office told us it would be a couple days before they could get to it.
He came by, but it was a couple days before.
Take a couple days before you and Tara go out again?
Take a couple days before you and Tara go out again?
Choose a topic. For example, you might choose a subject you discussed a couple days before.
And if you just called him, maybe wait a couple days before you call him again.
That having been said, you're going to want to make this at least a couple days before you drink it so it has time to become much smoother.
Alexandra If I only for a couple days before I knew about the existence of this site!
When the news were let go on 'Frst og Sist' on NRK1 at the end of April, the record company had also only heard the album for the first time a couple days before.
He wants the ticket to be hidden on any dates that it is not on sale, with one exception: He wants to show the ticket a couple days before it goes on sale to generate excitement.
He reads one book of 12 and goes to a couple of lectures, marches himself up to our room a couple days before the exam to get himself tutored.

Alternatives:

a couple of days before
a few days before
several days before
a couple days prior to
a couple of days prior to

This phrase is the more grammatically correct and widely accepted version. The addition of "of" makes the phrase more precise and clear.

"a couple of days before"

This phrase is the standard and more formal way to express a short period of time before a specific event or point in time.

Examples:

She arrived a couple of days before the conference.
We finished the project a couple of days before the deadline.
He left a couple of days before the party.
They returned a couple of days before the holiday.
I received the invitation a couple of days before the wedding.

Show examples from the web [+]

It was a couple of days before we left the planet.
Kerttu called me a couple of days before she died.
This is a couple of days before Katrina struck.
Just once, a couple of days before kay's accident.
I'd give it a couple of days before approaching them.
The housekeeper said the dog had turned on its mistress a couple of days before.
And he was really upset because they got in a fight over at Jackie Beats's drag show a couple of days before.
Not some, all those firms were rated at least A2... until a couple of days before they... were rescued.
All I'm saying is, it might take a couple of days before we track him down.
So he was beaten up, just a couple of days before he died.
She got there a couple of days before I ran away.
I figure I got a couple of days before it takes up permanent residence.
Competact for a couple of days before and after the procedure.
What the Father Vincenzo and I have said a couple of days before remains sealed in my heart.
Macmillan was given a sketch by Paul McCartney a couple of days before the shoot showing where and what the picture should look like.
Such beautiful country... even in late December, a couple of days before Christmas 2018.
Repeat this process several times over a couple of days before using it for an actual stressful event.
These require authorisation and it may take a couple of days before you can use your Skype Number.
It would have to rest for at least a couple of days before it could be ridden again.
Yes, I brought Mr Jasper down here, a couple of days before the unfortunate business with Mr Edwin.

Alternatives:

a few days before
several days before
a couple days before
a couple days prior to
a couple of days prior to

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a couple days before vs a couple of days before