Paul,
As I suggested in my response to Christine's questions, I think there's a good English-based explanation, but the Yiddish partitive may be another, at least in some parts of the country. In High German and Yiddish, which are closely related, like Scots and English, the "a glass tea" construction is common, and your grandparents would simply have translated it, some first language interference.
Herb
-----Original Message-----
From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar on behalf of Paul E. Doniger
Sent: Mon 9/25/2006 9:08 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Two Questions
It seems to me that 'couple' is singular in both expressions ("a couple" = only one grouping of two in either case). In conversation, people often drop the "of" in "a couple of Xs," but I think the preposition is really required all the time. I suspect that dropping it is an Eastern European dialect issue; my grandparents, whose first language was Yiddish, often dropped it in expressions like, "A glass tea," or "a piece candy," etc. Fowler says a lot about the omission (and misuse) of 'of', but not, apparently, this omission.
"Went missing" doesn't thrill me either, but I suspect it's an unstoppable change. What's wrong with "disappeared?"
Paul D.
----- Original Message ----
From: Christine Gray <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 9:06:33 PM
Subject: FW: Two Questions
Can anyone help me with these two questions from one of my students.
I replied that "couple" can be either singular or plural depending on the context and then gave her some examples. But the "couple of" I don't know about.
Also, I told her that "went missing" has always sounded awkward to me. But I hear it so frequently-is it correct?
See her questions below.
Thank you,
Christine Gray
Should we say, "a couple of people" or "a couple people?" I'm never sure whether or not to put in the "of."
And, couple is plural, right? "There are a couple of days when I can't help you."
Or is "a couple" singular? "There is a couple standing on the corner."
Secondly,
I hear newscasters say "went missing." Is that correct? For example, Natalie Holloway in Aruba : news people say, "She went missing last summer."
I'm making up that example, but I heard it again on TV a few days ago.
Thanks!
Diane
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