a few thousands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a few thousands' is a valid form of written English.
It is used to refer to a small number in the thousands range (i.e. from 1000 to 9000). For example: Our team has raised a few thousands of dollars in donations this year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They had imagined BGP sorting through a few thousands possible routes on the Internet.

The Washington Post

But meager contracts for a few thousands of dollars each won't pay for more employees.

The New York Times

Under the House bill, this tax which hits on a few thousands bequests each year would eventually be eliminated.

The New Yorker

In their lifetime, they might be able to directly tutor a few thousands young minds.

Forbes

In the greater Tokyo area, the number of all-electric homes grew from just a few thousands a decade ago to 850,000 by the end of 2010.

The New York Times

But only a few thousands of those troops are ready for combat.

The Economist

As the cycle number increases from a few tens to a few thousands, the MFIS drops due to damage accumulation.

Acta Materialia

Only a few thousands are accepted in top Iranian universities such as the IUST.

The Guardian

This could amount to a few thousands pounds covering several months' salary.

The Guardian

The apparent activation energies are in the order of up to a few thousands kJ/mol, which can be explained by a high cooperativity of the precipitation process.

Polymer

Then, drivers like Juan Manuel Fangio counted their winnings from Grand Prix races in a few thousands of dollars.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a few thousands", ensure that the context clarifies whether you are referring to a general estimate or a more specific, though inexact, number in the thousands range.

Common error

Avoid using "a few thousands" when a more precise number is available or necessary for clarity. If the exact number is known or can be reasonably estimated, provide that information instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few thousands" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating an indefinite but relatively small number within the thousands range. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is a valid form of English. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts to denote quantities from approximately one thousand to nine thousand.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

45%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a few thousands" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate a relatively small, indefinite quantity in the thousands range. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid expression in English. Found across diverse sources like news outlets and scientific publications, the expression serves as a neutral way to provide an approximation without specifying exact numbers. When writing, ensure that the context warrants an inexact quantity and consider alternatives such as "several thousand" for enhanced precision if needed. Avoid using "a few thousands" when exact figures are readily available or crucial for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Several thousand

Emphasizes more than a couple but still not a large amount, remaining within the thousands range.

Thousands approximately

Highlights the approximate nature of the quantity, focusing on the 'thousands' scale.

Around three thousand

Specifies a number within the 'thousands' range for greater precision.

A couple of thousand

Suggests a slightly smaller quantity within the lower end of the 'thousands' range.

Two to three thousand

Provides a narrower range to indicate a more precise quantity.

In the neighborhood of three thousand

Indicates a quantity close to but not necessarily exactly three thousand.

A limited number of thousands

Emphasizes the restriction on the quantity within the thousands.

A handful of thousands

Implies a relatively small quantity when referring to thousands.

Roughly four thousand

Highlights the estimation with a possible exact quantity.

An estimated three thousand

Underscores that the quantity in thousands is based on an estimation.

FAQs

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

Use "a few thousands" to refer to a quantity that is more than one thousand but not a large amount, such as "The charity raised "a few thousands" of dollars during the event".

What's the difference between "a few thousands" and "thousands"?

"A few thousands" indicates a relatively small quantity within the thousands range, whereas "thousands" refers to a nonspecific amount in the thousands that could be larger. For example, "thousands of people" versus ""a few thousands" of people".

Which is more precise, "a few thousands" or "several thousand"?

"Several thousand" "several thousand" is generally considered more precise than "a few thousands", as it tends to suggest a slightly larger and more defined quantity.

Are there contexts where using "a few thousands" is inappropriate?

Yes, in contexts requiring exact numbers or highly precise measurements, using "a few thousands" may be inappropriate. Opt for specific figures or more precise estimations instead.