Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Hello, teachers!!

If much depends on the result of a single interview, or a couple of interviews, a man may conceivably force another to accept an impression of himself which he would like to convey.
(By Arnold Bennett)
----->
(1)
I asked you about "a couple of" once. Now, I would like to know the meaning of "a couple of." What does "a couple of" mean in this sentence?
"a couple of " is
(a) two
(b) 2 or 3

(2)
What does "interview" mean in this sentence? I think that "interview" means "see" or "meet."

Thank you in advance.

[Mister Micawber]

.
1-- 2 or so.

�Idiom
14. a couple of, more than two, but not many, of; a small number of; a few: It will take a couple of days for the package to get there. Also, a couple.

2-- An interview here is a more formal meeting-- with a journalist, potential employer, potential educational institute, etc.
.
_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
...............
Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's

[Eric Thompson]

Dear learner12: 'Couple' really means two things or items (a pair) and not any more, not any fewer. There are two general types of 'interviews'. One is a job interview: when you apply for a job and the employer wants to meet you in person before selecting an employee. The other is an interview of a newsworthy (generally famous) person conducted by a media person (for the newspaper, TV, or radio). In both cases, there is a person asking questions and another who is answering the questions. Ok? -- Eric

[learner12]

Dear Mister Micawber&Eric Thompson:

Thank you for your great explanations.

Take care and have a nice day!!

[Lorikeet]

For me, "a couple of" means two, and only two. So I was surprised when someone mentioned that it could mean more, and I looked it up. It did indeed say "a few."

[bud]

A couple of beers = at least 6! (But that's a special case.)