a few hundreds

USAGE SUMMARY

'a few hundreds' is an acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
This phrase is typically used in contexts when referring to a Quantity, such as in the following example: "I was able to collect a few hundreds of books for the library donation drive."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He peeled away a few hundreds and cast them at my feet.

The New Yorker

Two buses and two scooters were torched a few hundreds metres from the site.

The Guardian

He now lives a few hundreds yards further back from the border, where shells fall less often.

The New York Times

He said the Brotherhood only had a few hundreds activists in the UK, but they were "very active".

Independent

It usually takes a few hundreds of seconds.

Nanoscale Research Letters

SWCNTs were uniformly distributed throughout the whole structures, even in a few hundreds nm thick nanowires.

Carbon

The colder component had a temperature as low as a few hundreds eV.

Advances in Space Research

Accurate measurements with % level resolution are required for Φ0 of a few hundreds MPa.

Earth, Planets and Space

They formed for a few hundreds of years in periglacial steppe environments, under forest-steppe vegetation.

Quaternary International

Dust grains sizes detected: A few tens of microns to a few hundreds of microns.

BBC

We see that the algorithm usually converges in a few hundreds of iterations and is hence practical.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few hundreds" to indicate an approximate quantity, specifically when referring to something in the range of several hundred but less than a thousand. Provide additional context or units to clarify your statements, such as "a few hundreds of dollars" or "a few hundreds of meters".

Common error

Avoid using "a few hundreds" when precision is required. If you need to specify an exact number, state it directly, such as "350" or "425" instead of using approximations. For example, instead of saying "the cost was a few hundreds of dollars", state the specific amount if it is known, such as "the cost was $380."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few hundreds" functions as a quantifier, indicating an approximate quantity within the range of several hundred. It serves to convey an inexact number, as seen in examples from Ludwig, such as "He peeled away a few hundreds and cast them at my feet."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a few hundreds" serves as a quantifier, indicating an approximate quantity within the range of two to nine hundred. Ludwig AI validates this usage as grammatically correct and commonly used, finding its presence mainly in scientific and news media sources. While it implies an estimation rather than a precise count, it's crucial to provide clarifying context, such as units or specific items, for clear communication. Keep in mind alternatives like "several hundred" can be used interchangeably depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several hundred

Replaces "a few" with "several", implying slightly more than "a few" but still within the hundreds range.

some hundreds

Substitutes "a few" with "some", offering a slightly less precise estimation.

a couple of hundred

Emphasizes a smaller quantity within the hundreds range, suggesting closer to two hundred than nine hundred.

a handful of hundreds

Uses "handful" to represent a small, indefinite quantity in the hundreds.

around three hundred

Provides a more specific estimate within the range of hundreds.

approximately four hundred

Indicates an approximate number, specifically around four hundred.

a limited number of hundreds

Highlights the restriction to a small quantity around the hundreds range.

a small group of hundreds

Conveys a small quantity using the word "group", applicable when referring to countable items.

in the hundreds

A broader way to refer to any quantity within the hundreds range, without specifying the exact amount.

up to a few hundred

Indicates the maximum limit of the quantity, suggesting it does not exceed a few hundred.

FAQs

How can I use "a few hundreds" in a sentence?

Use "a few hundreds" to indicate an approximate quantity within the range of two to nine hundred. For instance, "The organization received "a few hundred" applications for the scholarship." Be sure to specify the units or context following the phrase to avoid ambiguity.

What's the difference between "a few hundreds" and "several hundred"?

"A few hundreds" and "several hundred" are largely interchangeable. "Several hundred" might suggest a slightly larger quantity than "a few hundreds", but the difference is minimal and depends on context. Both indicate an inexact number in the hundreds range.

What are some alternatives to "a few hundreds"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "some hundreds", "approximately four hundred" if you have a better estimate, or "in the hundreds" for a broader range.

Is it more appropriate to say "a few hundred" or "a few hundreds"?

"A few hundred" is grammatically acceptable and conveys the same meaning as "a few hundreds". The presence of the final "s" doesn't add or detract from its meaning. Usage often depends on regional dialect and personal preference.