several
/ˈsev.ər.əl/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈɛvrəl] /ˈsev.ɚ.əl/ (ame, ipa) · [sˈɛvrəl] /ˈse-və-rəl ˈsev-rəl/ (ame, mw)
several — determiner
1. used before a plural noun to indicate an unspecified count — greater than two bu
used before a plural noun to indicate an unspecified count — greater than two but not large — without naming the exact figure.
Eliska has read several books on Japanese history this summer.
several + plural noun (books on a topic)
The café closed for several weeks while the kitchen was being repaired.
several + time period (weeks)
The coach gave several reasons for canceling practice before the storm arrived.
Several hundred people attended the outdoor concert despite the rain.
The director asked several questions after the presentation ended.
- a few
similar in meaning but may imply a smaller number; 'a few' often feels like 3-5, while 'several' can stretch to 6-8.
- a number of
more formal; used in writing and reports rather than everyday speech.
- multiple
more technical or formal; common in academic or medical contexts ('multiple injuries').
文法句型
several + plural noun
several + hundred/thousand/million + plural noun
用法筆記
Frequently used before a plural countable noun. Do not use before uncountable nouns (❌ 'several water'). For uncountable nouns, use 'some' instead.
常見錯誤
several — pronoun
1. used on its own, without a following noun, to mean more than two people or thing
used on its own, without a following noun, to mean more than two people or things — but not a very large number; the exact count is left unspecified.
Gabriel printed ten photos, but several were too dark to keep.
pronoun referring back to a counted plural noun
Several of the passengers complained about the delay to the airline staff.
several of + noun phrase
The shop had ten dresses on sale, and Saira bought several.
Several have already submitted their camp forms to Ms. Lan.
- none
zero items — the opposite of having two or more.
文法句型
several of + noun/pronoun
several + plural verb
several + of + which/whom
用法筆記
When 'several' is used as a pronoun, it always takes a plural verb: 'Several are ready' (not 'Several is ready'). The noun it refers to must be clear from the context or from a following 'of'-phrase.
常見錯誤
several — adjective
- severalpositive
- more severalcomparative
- most severalsuperlative
1. describes things that are separate from each other — each item or person is dist
describes things that are separate from each other — each item or person is distinct and individual, not shared or the same.
The three friends went their several ways after university ended.
several ways = each person's own direction
The witnesses gave their several accounts of what happened that evening.
their several accounts = each witness's own separate version
After the storm, the families returned to their several homes before dark.
After the meeting, the managers returned to their several offices upstairs.
- respective
similar meaning but more formal; 'their respective roles' means each person's own role.
- different
broader and more common in everyday speech; 'different' does not always imply individual ownership.
- distinct
similar register but focuses more on clear differences between items.
文法句型
several + plural noun (individual/distinct sense)
用法筆記
This sense of 'several' is formal and less common in everyday conversation. It always comes before a plural noun and emphasises that the items are individually distinct, not that there is a particular number of them. Distinguish from the determiner sense (A2), which focuses on quantity rather than separateness.
常見錯誤
❌ 'A several opinion was heard.' — 'several' with this meaning cannot be used with a singular noun.