a several of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a several of" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
It is a more formal, albeit somewhat archaic, phrasing of "several". For example, you could say: "The teacher gave a several of assignments to each student."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

For the soldiers of Company A, several of whom normally would have been discharged before their unit shipped out in March, the new discharge date is next June.

The New York Times

That explanation was forcefully rejected by a several of Walsh's friends and by numerous others with close ties to the Knicks.

The New York Times - Sports

Self-assembled monolayer is a model system which is well defined, easily replicated and well-characterized surface presenting a several of chemical moieties.

Differentiation

Over the course of six or seven years, I was trying to write about certain pinpoints on the map, and it just so happens that a several of them were criminal.

The New Yorker

Miliband was one of a several of politicians, including from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Scottish National party and even some Conservatives, who said the prime minister's private comments highlighted the need for her to heed her own warnings about the economic dangers of Brexit.

The Guardian

Furthermore, referring to the final model in panel A, several of our control variables (MV, IFF as well as the index dummies) are significant and show the predicted signs, which indicates that characteristics of a firm's information environment are relevant for the width of bid ask spreads.

Business Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Several squadrons in turn form a flotilla, several of which in turn form a fleet.

Britannica

Upon realizing that it was a funeral, several of the protesters burst into tears.

The New Yorker

Partly as a result, several of the shuttered small-cap funds have reopened.

The New York Times

The soldiers meet with him once or twice a week, several of them said.

The New York Times

The heat off the pavement hits with the force of a truck (several of which, incidentally, are spewing exhaust nearby).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider using the more common and concise "several" or "a number of" for clearer and more modern writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a several of" in informal contexts; it may sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for "several" or "some" in casual conversation or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a several of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate an indefinite quantity greater than a few. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct, although less common, alternative to simpler forms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a several of" is grammatically sound but less common than its simpler counterpart, "several". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, noting its slightly formal tone. While acceptable in various contexts, particularly news, science, and academia, opting for "several" or "a number of" often leads to clearer and more contemporary writing. When aiming for conciseness, "several" is typically the preferred choice, reserving "a several of" for situations where a more deliberate or slightly elevated tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several

Omits "a of", resulting in a more direct and common way to express quantity.

a number of

A more common and versatile alternative to indicate quantity.

a few of

Indicates a smaller quantity than "a several of".

some of

A general term indicating an unspecified quantity.

quite a few of

Emphasizes that the quantity is more than just a few.

a multiplicity of

A more formal way of saying a large number of something.

various

Implies diversity within the quantity.

numerous

A more formal way to say many or several.

a handful of

Indicates a small and easily manageable quantity.

a collection of

Suggests a group or set of items.

FAQs

Is "a several of" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a several of" is grammatically correct, although it's a less common and somewhat formal way to say "several" or /s/a+number+of.

What can I say instead of "a several of"?

You can use alternatives like "several", "a number of", or "some of" depending on the context.

When should I use "a several of"?

Use "a several of" in formal writing where a slightly elevated tone is appropriate. However, in most cases, using just "several" is more concise and clearer.

What's the difference between "a several of" and "several"?

"A several of" is a less common, slightly more formal variant of "several". The meaning is largely the same, but "several" is generally preferred for its simplicity and directness.