a few tens of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few tens of" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to refer to a range in the tens, such as 10, 20, 30, etc. For example, you could say, "We had a few tens of people at the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This random motion usually amount to a few tens of km/s in some direction.

Cornell University

A good-sized tree collects a few tens of tons of carbon in its lifetime.

Yale University

The training takes a few tens of minutes with current parameter settings.

Stanford University

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

Cornell University

Eskers are winding ridges a few tens of metres high that look remarkably like railway embankments.

MIT Technology Review

By contrast, ground-based observatories are only a few tens of kilometres away.

MIT Technology Review

That amounts to just a few tens of millions in a $117 billion biennial budget.

The Washington Post

A few tens of millions of years later, in the Cambrian period, the first mineralized coral-like organisms appeared.

University of California, Berkeley

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

Cornell University

The mesoscopic structures occur on distance scales of a few nanometers to a few tens of nanometers.

Stanford University

The hazes can be choking and can reduce visibility at noon to a few tens of yards.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few tens of", ensure the context makes it clear what units you are referring to (e.g., "a few tens of dollars", "a few tens of meters"). This avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a few tens of" when a more precise number is available or necessary. This phrase implies an approximation, so don't use it if you have exact figures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few tens of" functions as a quantifier, indicating an approximate quantity within the range of 20 to 40. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to express an estimation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

35%

News & Media

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few tens of" serves as a versatile quantifier for expressing approximate quantities between 20 and 40. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts like academia, news, and scientific writing. While suitable for most situations, remember to be specific when precision is crucial. For alternative expressions, consider options like "approximately thirty", "around twenty or thirty", or "several dozen", each offering subtle nuances in meaning. By understanding its function, purpose, and context, you can effectively utilize "a few tens of" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately thirty

Specifies a more precise number within the range implied by "a few tens of".

roughly thirty or so

Emphasizes the approximate nature of the quantity, suggesting it's close to thirty.

around twenty or thirty

Adds a degree of uncertainty and provides a specific range within the broader "tens" category.

in the neighborhood of thirty

A more formal way of indicating an approximate quantity around thirty.

several dozen

Uses 'dozen' to imply a quantity slightly higher than 'a few tens', specifically multiple sets of twelve.

about twenty-five

Specifies a number in the mid-range of the 'tens', offering more precision.

a couple of dozen

Implies a smaller quantity, closer to twenty-four, still within the broader range.

some twenty to forty

Provides a wider range, indicating the quantity falls between twenty and forty.

in the twenty to forty range

Similar to 'some twenty to forty' but emphasizes the range.

a score or two

Uses 'score' (twenty) to indicate a quantity slightly different but in the same order of magnitude.

FAQs

How do I use "a few tens of" in a sentence?

Use "a few tens of" to indicate a quantity that is approximately between 20 and 40. For example, "The project required "a few tens of thousands of" dollars in funding".

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

You can use alternatives like "approximately thirty", "around twenty or thirty", or "several dozen" depending on the context.

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

While grammatically correct, "a few tens of" may be considered informal in some contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise language or alternatives like "approximately thirty" or "around thirty".

What's the difference between "a few tens of" and "a couple of tens of"?

"A few tens of" suggests a quantity greater than two tens (20), implying roughly between 20 and 40, while "a couple of tens of" specifically means two tens, or 20.