a several number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a several number" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may cause confusion, as "several" typically refers to an unspecified number greater than two but does not pair with "a." Example: "There were a several number of issues that needed to be addressed." (This usage is incorrect.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A several number of communication lattice tower collapsed in the past years due to strong winds in Cuba, most of them with a high number of dish antennas.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

The pyrolysis model needs a several number of parameters what does the optimization of a suitable set of parameters a difficult task.

Revista Internacional de Métodos Numéricos para Cálculo y Diseño en Ingeniería

The detailed analysis of a big number of recent investigations has shown that the highest mass specific power density (MSPD) value obtained for H2-O2 PEMFCs has far exceeded the 2015 target (5mWμg−1Pttotal) set by the USA department of energy, while a several number of investigations reported values between 1 and 5 mW μgPt−1.

Applied Catalysis B: Environmental

The algorithm can be stopped when the stopping criterion ‖∇ C‖ F  ≤ ε for a small and positive constant ε or after a several number of iterations (N GD ).

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

In particular, for the initialization process, the WSRMax algorithm requires a several number of steps (each step has complexity of ) and the proposed APD algorithm requires none.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

She got ready for kindergarten by selecting a special outfit, sharpening several number 2 pencils and packing a new box of crayons.

The New York Times

As a result, several numbering systems are in use.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a result, several numbers of spatial-spectral classification techniques have been introduced in recent years.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

As she often does, Lady Gaga took to a keyboard for several numbers, which in theory was fine: Anyone would need a breather after what she'd just pulled off, and few have the natural pipes she does.

Los Angeles Times

It may even be a combination of several numbers and letters (5.2a).

Cornell University

Next to the name of each player in the field, there is a number or several numbers in parentheses, referring to the way the golfer gained entry.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a several number". Opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "a number of" or simply "several" for clearer and more effective communication.

Common error

The most common mistake is using the indefinite article "a" before "several". Remember that "several" already implies a quantity greater than one, making the article redundant and grammatically incorrect. Prefer alternatives like "a number of" or just "several".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a several number" attempts to quantify something, but its grammatical incorrectness hinders its communicative function. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not a standard expression and may cause confusion. Examples in Ludwig show instances where the phrase appears, often in contexts where correction is needed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

50%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a several number" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase combines the indefinite article "a" with "several" which is redundant. Although examples can be found in diverse sources ranging from science to news, its usage is uncommon and often flagged as an error. Instead, opt for alternatives like "a number of" or simply "several" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. Choosing more appropriate words enhances communication and avoids potential confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A number of

Replaces "several" with the more grammatically standard phrase "a number of".

Several numbers

Omits the article "a" and pluralizes "number", correcting the grammar.

Multiple numbers

Emphasizes that there is more than one number.

Numerous

Uses a single adjective to indicate a large quantity.

Various numbers

Implies a collection of different numbers.

A few numbers

Suggests a smaller quantity than "several".

Some numbers

A general term to refer to more than one number without specifying how many.

A quantity of

A more formal way to indicate an amount or number.

Several items

Replaces "number" with a more general term, maintaining the sense of "several".

A multitude of

Indicates a very large number or quantity.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "a several number"?

The correct way to express the idea of "a several number" is to use either "a number of" or simply "several". For example, instead of saying "There are a several number of options", say "There are "a number of" options" or "There are several options".

Is "a several number" grammatically correct?

No, "a several number" is not grammatically correct. The word "several" already implies more than one, so using the indefinite article "a" is redundant. The correct alternatives are "a number of" or "several".

What does "a several number" mean?

While not grammatically correct, "a several number" is likely intended to mean "several" or "a number of", indicating more than two but not very many. It's best to avoid this phrasing and use a more accurate alternative such as "a number of".

What are some alternatives to "a several number"?

Some alternatives to "a several number" include "several", "a number of", "various", and "multiple", depending on the intended meaning and context. Choose the alternative that best fits the situation.