several
/ˈsev.ər.əl/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈɛvrəl] /ˈsev.ɚ.əl/ (ame, ipa) · [sˈɛvrəl] /ˈse-və-rəl ˈsev-rəl/ (ame, mw)
several — 限定詞
1. used before a plural noun to indicate an unspecified count — greater than two bu
幾個
表示兩個以上但為數不多的數量
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.
Eliska 今年夏天讀了好幾本關於日本歷史的書。
several + plural noun (books on a topic)
The café closed for several weeks while the kitchen was being repaired.
那家咖啡館關了幾個星期，因為廚房在整修。
several + time period (weeks)
The coach gave several reasons for canceling practice before the storm arrived.
暴風雨來臨前，教練提出了幾個取消練習的理由。
Several hundred people attended the outdoor concert despite the rain.
儘管下著雨，還是有好幾百人參加了那場戶外音樂會。
The director asked several questions after the presentation ended.
簡報結束後，主管問了幾個問題。
- 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 — 代名詞
1. used on its own, without a following noun, to mean more than two people or thing
數個
不接名詞，單獨指兩個以上的人或事物
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.
Gabriel 沖洗了十張照片，但其中只有幾張黑得太重，不能留。
pronoun referring back to a counted plural noun
Several of the passengers complained about the delay to the airline staff.
乘客中有好幾位向航空公司人員投訴班機延誤。
several of + noun phrase
The shop had ten dresses on sale, and Saira bought several.
那家店有十件洋裝在打折，Saira 買了好幾件。
Several have already submitted their camp forms to Ms. Lan.
已有數人把夏令營表格交給 Lan 女士了。
- 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 — 形容詞
- severalpositive
- more severalcomparative
- most severalsuperlative
1. describes things that are separate from each other — each item or person is dist
各別的
彼此分開、不共享的
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.
那三個朋友在大學畢業後各奔前程。
several ways = each person's own direction
The witnesses gave their several accounts of what happened that evening.
證人們對當晚發生的事各自給出了不同的說法。
their several accounts = each witness's own separate version
After the storm, the families returned to their several homes before dark.
暴風雨過後，各家人在天黑前回到了各自的家。
After the meeting, the managers returned to their several offices upstairs.
會議結束後，經理們各自回到了樓上的辦公室。
- 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.