a few million

USAGE SUMMARY

"a few million" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it to indicate an approximate, large amount of something. For example: "The company made a few million dollars in profits last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A few million?

The New York Times - Arts

Each had a few million users.

The New York Times

A few million more to go.

The New York Times - Travel

Sprewell lost a few million.

The New York Times - Sports

He'll be expecting a few million pounds.

Independent

Uruguay is also tiny – just a few million people.

The New York Times

That would have cost a few million dollars.

The New York Times - Sports

Answers varied from "a few million" to "$25m tops".

Independent

"A few million a year would do grandly," he said.

The Economist

Experts estimate that a few million people are potentially eligible.

The New York Times

Most contracts are smaller, sometimes for a few million pounds.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few million" to indicate an approximate quantity when the exact number is not known or not important. It provides a general sense of scale without being precise.

Common error

Avoid using "a few million" when you have access to the precise number. Using approximate figures when exact data is available can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few million" functions as a quantifier, specifying an approximate but large numerical value. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and common, indicating it’s widely understood and accepted. It's used to describe amounts, quantities, or numbers in a general way without needing exact figures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few million" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate an approximate quantity in the millions. As Ludwig AI validates, it serves as a quantifier, providing a general sense of scale without requiring precise figures. Predominantly used in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, it is a versatile phrase suitable for various registers, though less frequent in highly formal or technical writing that demands exactness. While approximations like "a few million" can be helpful, ensure that using them doesn't undermine the clarity or accuracy of your message and precise data is preferable when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several million

Indicates a similar imprecise but large quantity, emphasizing more than just 'a few'.

millions

A shorter way to express a large, unspecified number in the millions.

a couple of million

Implies a slightly smaller quantity, suggesting closer to two million.

some millions

Highlights the unspecified nature of the quantity in the millions.

a number of millions

More formal way to indicate an unspecified quantity in the millions.

in the millions

General expression indicating the amount is within the millions range.

millions of

Emphasizes a multitude within the millions.

a good few million

Emphasizes that the number is a substantial amount within the millions.

easily a million or two

Suggests the quantity is at least a million, possibly reaching two million.

around a million

Indicates an approximate quantity, close to one million.

FAQs

How do I use "a few million" in a sentence?

You can use "a few million" to describe quantities. For example, "The project cost "a few million" dollars" or "The company has "a few million" users".

What can I say instead of "a few million"?

You can use alternatives like "several million", "millions", or "a couple of million" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a few million" in formal writing?

Yes, "a few million" is acceptable in formal writing when an exact number is either unknown or unnecessary to specify. However, ensure that using an approximation doesn't compromise the clarity or accuracy of your message. In cases when high precision is paramount, consider including the exact number instead of "a few million".

What is the difference between "a few million" and "millions of"?

"A few million" implies a relatively smaller and more specific quantity within the millions range, while "millions of" suggests a larger, more indefinite number. For example, ""a few million" dollars" might mean two to five million, whereas "millions of dollars" could mean anything from two million to hundreds of millions.