Explanation at your level:
You use several when you have more than two things. If you have three or four books, you have several books. It is a great way to talk about a small group without saying the exact number.
When you want to say 'a few' but want to sound a bit more precise, use several. It is common to say 'I have several friends' or 'I visited several cities.' It is always used with plural words.
Several is a versatile determiner used to quantify plural nouns. It suggests a number that is not large but is definitely more than a 'couple.' You can use it in professional settings to sound more objective than saying 'a few.'
Using several allows for a nuanced description of quantity. It is often preferred in formal writing over 'a few' because it carries a slightly more serious, distinct tone. It effectively highlights that the items are individual entities within a larger context.
In advanced discourse, several functions to denote a collection of discrete items. It is frequently employed in academic writing to avoid repetition of specific numbers. Its usage implies a deliberate grouping, emphasizing the distinct nature of each element within the set.
The etymological roots of several—deriving from 'separate'—still influence its usage in high-level literary contexts. It implies not just a quantity, but an arrangement of individual components. Mastery of this word involves understanding its subtle distinction from 'various' or 'numerous,' as it maintains a strict limit on the scale of the group.
Mot en 30 secondes
- More than two.
- Small group.
- Countable nouns only.
- No articles.
When you use the word several, you are painting a picture of a small group. Think of it as the 'Goldilocks' of numbers: it is definitely more than two, but it is certainly not a huge crowd.
It is a very handy word because you don't have to be precise. If you have several ideas, you have more than just one or two, but you aren't overwhelmed by dozens. It helps your listeners understand that you have a manageable collection of things.
The word several comes from the Old French word several, which traces back to the Latin separalis, meaning 'separate.' Originally, it meant 'individual' or 'distinct.'
Over time, the meaning shifted from 'separate' to 'a group of separate things.' By the 14th century, it began to be used to describe a small number of distinct items, which is exactly how we use it today in modern English.
You can use several before a plural noun, like 'several friends' or 'several reasons.' It is highly versatile and works in both casual chats and professional emails.
It is often paired with words like different or distinct to emphasize that the items are separate from one another. While it is more formal than 'a few,' it is still very common in daily conversation.
While 'several' doesn't have many idioms of its own, it appears in phrases like several times over, meaning many times or repeatedly. Another common usage is several of them, which acts as a pronoun to refer back to a previously mentioned group.
You might also hear several kinds of, which implies variety within a small group. These expressions help add clarity and flow to your sentences.
Grammar: Always use several with a plural countable noun. You would say 'several apples,' never 'several apple.' It does not take an article like 'a' or 'the' before it.
Pronunciation: In US English, it is often pronounced as two syllables: SEV-rul. In UK English, the 'v' is sometimes softened. It rhymes with words like level or revel.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'sever'!
Pronunciation Guide
Shortened, two syllables.
Clearer, can be three syllables.
Common Errors
- dropping the v
- adding a syllable
- misplacing stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Determiners
several books
Plural Nouns
books
Countable vs Uncountable
several vs much
Examples by Level
I have several pens.
I have 3+ pens
plural noun
I ate several apples.
She has several cats.
We saw several birds.
He bought several toys.
They have several cars.
I read several books.
There are several dogs.
I visited several museums.
She made several mistakes.
He sent several emails.
We have several plans.
There are several reasons.
I met several people.
They found several keys.
Several students arrived.
Several factors contributed to the success.
I have several questions about the project.
She spent several hours working.
Several of the guests left early.
He wrote several articles.
We discussed several options.
Several problems occurred.
I need several minutes.
Several prominent figures attended the event.
The policy underwent several revisions.
Several studies have confirmed this.
She faced several challenges.
Several witnesses were interviewed.
He identified several flaws.
We analyzed several datasets.
Several experts agreed.
The candidate provided several compelling arguments.
The theory is supported by several lines of evidence.
Several distinct phenomena were observed.
The company faces several structural issues.
We must consider several variables.
Several key stakeholders were consulted.
The results suggest several possibilities.
Several nuances were overlooked.
The author delineates several disparate themes.
Several iterations were required for completion.
The phenomenon manifests in several ways.
Several disparate elements coalesce here.
He noted several incongruities.
Several axioms were challenged.
The process involves several stages.
Several contingencies were planned.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"several times over"
many times
He has done this several times over.
casual"several of a kind"
matching items
I have several of a kind.
neutral"take several steps"
a process
This will take several steps.
neutral"several to choose from"
many options
There are several to choose from.
casual"several miles away"
distance
It is several miles away.
neutral"several points of view"
different opinions
We heard several points of view.
formalEasily Confused
similar meaning
few is more restrictive
Few people came vs Several people came.
vague quantity
some is broader
Some water vs Several books.
quantity
many is larger
Many people vs Several people.
grouping
various implies difference
Various colors vs Several colors.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + verb + several + noun
I have several tasks.
Several + noun + verb
Several people left.
Several of + pronoun + verb
Several of them agreed.
There are + several + noun
There are several options.
Subject + verb + several + of + the + noun
I kept several of the books.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
must use plural noun
do not use an article
no 'of' unless using 'the'
redundant
several is the determiner
Tips
The 7 Rule
Remember it sounds like seven.
Plural Only
Always check for the 's'.
Professionalism
Use it in emails.
No Articles
Don't use 'a' or 'the'.
Say it fast
Two syllables.
Singular Nouns
Avoid 'several book'.
Etymology
Related to 'sever'.
Flashcards
Use with plural nouns.
Vague counts
Great for estimates.
Pronoun use
Use 'several of them'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Seven is more than two!
Visual Association
A hand holding 4 fingers up.
Word Web
Défi
Count items in your room and say 'I have several...'
Origine du mot
Old French/Latin
Original meaning: separate
Contexte culturel
None
Common in everyday business and casual speech.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- several meetings
- several issues
- several tasks
at school
- several chapters
- several students
- several subjects
travel
- several flights
- several cities
- several days
shopping
- several sizes
- several colors
- several items
Conversation Starters
"How many several is to you?"
"Do you have several hobbies?"
"What are several things you like?"
"Name several countries you visited."
"Do you have several friends?"
Journal Prompts
Write about several goals.
Describe several items on your desk.
List several things you did today.
What are several things you want to learn?
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsNo, it is less.
No, only countable.
It is neutral.
Usually 3-7.
No.
Yes, it can be.
Never.
Both.
Teste-toi
I have ___ pens.
Several indicates a small group.
Which is correct?
Must be plural.
Several means 100+.
It means a small number.
Word
Signification
Synonym matching.
Subject-Verb-Determiner-Noun.
Score : /5
Summary
Several is the perfect word for a small, distinct group that is more than two.
- More than two.
- Small group.
- Countable nouns only.
- No articles.
The 7 Rule
Remember it sounds like seven.
Plural Only
Always check for the 's'.
Professionalism
Use it in emails.
No Articles
Don't use 'a' or 'the'.
Exemple
I have several books on my desk that I need to read.
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Apprendre en contexte
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Expressions liées
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C1A mathematical term representing a ratio or proportion out of one hundred. It is used extensively to describe changes, statistics, and probabilities in academic and professional contexts.
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B1Les chiffres de 0 à 9, qui composent un nombre. En anatomie, cela désigne les doigts ou les orteils.
ten
A1The cardinal number equivalent to the sum of five and five; it is the first two-digit number in the decimal system. It follows nine and precedes eleven in the sequence of natural numbers.
least
B1The word 'least' is the superlative form of 'little,' used to indicate the smallest amount, degree, or importance. It is often used to describe the minimum of a quantity or to express that something is the last choice or priority.
number
A1A number is a unit of measurement used to count, label, or measure things. It can be written as a symbol, such as 5, or as a word, such as five.
less
A1Less is an adverb used to indicate a smaller amount, degree, or extent of something. It is most frequently used to modify adjectives or verbs in comparative sentences to show that something is not as much as it was before or as much as something else.
thousands
B1The plural form of the number 1,000, used to refer to a large, unspecified number of people or things. It signifies a quantity in the range of a few thousand up to many thousands.
million
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zero
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forenumerary
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