a few millions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a few millions' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe an approximate number of something, for example: "The company currently employs a few millions of people worldwide."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"We have spent a few millions.

The Guardian

Instead, they appear to just add a few (millions).

The Washington Post

At its beginning, multicelled animals underwent a dramatic "explosion" in diversity, and almost all living animal phyla appeared within a few millions of years.

University of California, Berkeley

While the company admitted that iPhone 5c sales were lower than expected, the company probably sold a few millions of those.

TechCrunch

For these companies a few millions dollars invested in such a program, which comes with branding benefits and talent draw, might not seem like such a bad investment, even if all of their startups fail.

Forbes

For them, it may mean a few millions less from the hundreds of millions they will get from pay-per-view revenue share, but for the many entertainers and artists who struggle to survive in this profession, it can be the difference between making it or not.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The California desert produced a few five-mile gaps.

The Washington Post

The motion of stars is quite small at a few or a few tens of km/s.

Cornell University

A few 16th- and 17th-century buildings survive north of the cathedral.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Eventually, the group disperses after a few tens of millions of years.

Cornell University

Fortunately, a few tens of thousands of pairs persist on the Falklands.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few millions" when you want to convey an inexact but relatively small quantity within the millions range. It's suitable for contexts where precision isn't critical but indicating the scale is.

Common error

Avoid using "a few millions" when more precise figures are available. For example, instead of saying "the project cost a few millions", specify "the project cost $3.5 million" if you have that information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few millions" functions as a quantifier, indicating an approximate quantity within the millions range. It is used to express an indefinite, yet substantial, number. Ludwig AI validates this usage with examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few millions" is a grammatically correct phrase used to represent an approximate, relatively small number in the millions range. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides real-world examples from varied sources such as news media and academic publications. While generally suitable for diverse contexts, it's advisable to use specific numbers when precision is required. Alternative phrases like "several million" or "a couple million" can be used depending on the context. Be mindful of the specific context and the need for precision when opting for this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Several million

Emphasizes an indefinite number, more than two but not many, expressed in millions.

A couple million

Indicates a slightly smaller quantity, closer to two million.

Millions

A broader term referring to a large, unspecified number in the millions.

Some millions

Indicates an unspecified amount in the millions, suggesting a moderate quantity.

A handful of millions

Suggests a relatively small number of millions.

A small number of millions

Explicitly states the quantity is not large, but still in the millions.

A few million dollars

Adds a specific unit (dollars) to quantify the amount.

Several million units

Adds a generalized unit to quantify the amount.

A few million people

Adds a specific countable noun to quantify the amount.

Millions upon millions

Emphasizes a very large quantity of millions.

FAQs

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

You can use "a few millions" to refer to an approximate small quantity in the millions, such as "The company invested "a few millions" in research and development this year."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a few millions"?

Similar phrases include "several million", "a couple million", or simply "millions", depending on the level of precision required.

Is "a few millions" a formal expression?

The phrase "a few millions" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more precise language might be preferred in highly formal or technical writing.

When should I avoid using the phrase "a few millions"?

Avoid using "a few millions" when exact figures are known and easily accessible. In such cases, providing the specific number is more informative and professional.