Some millions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Some millions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an approximate number in the millions, often in contexts involving statistics or estimates. Example: "The project is expected to cost some millions, but we are still finalizing the budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Let's just say you got some millions from the drug.

University of California, Berkeley

This was declared as national campaign spending, with the Tories some millions below their official limit.

The Guardian

And are you aware that some millions of years ago the earth's atmosphere held something like 7000 ppm of carbon dioxide, in comparison with the 380 ppm today.

University of California, Berkeley

You can indeed travel very near the speed of light for a short time and come back to Earth, where some millions of years have passed.

Cornell University

But if we seek to bludgeon Afghanistan into submission, we will lose the war on terrorism, while inadvertently slaughtering some millions of its inhabitants.

The Guardian

Or, the welterweights who are killing themselves to make welterweight, force them up to junior middleweight or middleweight so I can make some millions.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Redd: And some 18th-century French furniture.

The New York Times - Magazine

Kartalopoulos tried some two-word questions.

The New Yorker

Some 16th-century keyboard music used staves of more lines.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some 19th-century performances brought thousands to the stage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I see some sixes, I don't know.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Some millions", ensure the context clarifies what units are being quantified (e.g., dollars, years, people) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "Some millions" when a more precise number is known; provide the exact figure instead to enhance credibility and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Some millions" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating an approximate amount within the millions range. According to Ludwig, it's used to express a general sense of quantity rather than a precise number. For example, "Let's just say you got some millions from the drug."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

33%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Some millions" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express an approximate quantity in the millions. Ludwig AI confirms it functions as a quantifier across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academia, and science. When writing with it remember that, while it is generally neutral in register, precision can be improved by giving a more precise number when known. Related alternatives to "some millions" include "several million" and "millions of", offering writers flexibility in their expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Several million

Indicates more than two million, suggesting a specific but unstated number.

A few million

Suggests a smaller, indefinite number in the millions.

Millions of

Emphasizes the magnitude of the quantity, implying a large number in the millions.

Around a million

Indicates a quantity close to one million, providing a specific point of reference.

Approximately a million

Conveys a similar meaning to "around a million" with a more formal tone.

In the millions

Highlights that the quantity is within the range of millions.

Close to a million

Indicates that the number is slightly less than a million.

Nearly a million

Similar to "close to a million", emphasizing proximity to the million mark.

Almost a million

Similar to "nearly a million" and emphasizes the proximity to the million mark.

A considerable number of millions

Emphasizes that there are millions of something with a considerable number.

FAQs

How can I use "Some millions" in a sentence?

You can use "Some millions" to indicate an approximate quantity in the millions, as in "The project is expected to cost "some millions" of dollars."

What's a more formal alternative to "Some millions"?

A more formal alternative could be "Several million", which suggests a more specific but still unstated quantity in the millions.

When is it appropriate to use "Some millions" instead of a specific number?

It's appropriate when the exact number is unknown or unimportant, and the focus is on conveying a general sense of magnitude. If the exact number is known it's preferable to use it.

What's the difference between "Millions of" and "Some millions"?

"Millions of" emphasizes the large quantity more strongly, while "Some millions" provides a slightly more vague approximation.