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Proper Grammar

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Caribeing | 20:45 Sun 22nd Jan 2017 | Phrases & Sayings
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Which term is correct! when introducing two people, The next couple is or the next couple are!
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Strictly IS but I really don't think it matters- everyone knows what is meant
I'd say "is" because it is a single couple, not two or three of them.
If introducing then, "The next couple consists of ..."
It should be "The next couple is" but that sounds a bit impersonal. "The next couple are" sounds much better
IIt also depends on what you say next. You can say the "next couple is Mr and Mrs Smith" but I'd say ARE if I was (were?) saying the next couple are wearing a white dress and a dark blue suit
Assuming as ff does that the sentence is to continue with the names of the two individuals, consider this:

Turning the sentence around a bit, would you say "Jack and Jill are the next couple" or "Jack and Jill is the next couple" ?

I would definitely say ARE in both cases because they are in effect the same issue. The device of rearranging what gives rise to uncertainty is often helpful.
Although couple appears as a singular word it is always used with plurals:
a couple of birds, a couple of days, etc so my vote goes for ARE.
To answer the qn asked, the correct term when introducing two people is, 'The next couple is...'
I am going with "are" as well !
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Just asking as I was watching RTE Dancing With The Stars and Nicky Byrne was announcing the results he said the next couple is!!

A couple is singular so I think 'is' is correct, but 'are' sounds so much better
as said previously the correct term is, 'the next couple is'
If couple is singular what about family? Would you say "my family is farmers" or is "my family are farmers" correct?
If you look on the internet then nearly all reputable sources say it should be 'couple are'
TCL?

''when introducing two people''


Why mention what they do for a living?

The question doesn't say what follows the is/are and it could be "the next couple is/are farmers" depending upon the situation.
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The rule always used to be....group nouns are singular. So, the couple is, the government is, the team is...etc.
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A couple is singular, one couple, so it's is.

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