at least several

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at least several" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a minimum amount or number that is greater than a few, but not specified exactly. Example: "At least several students in the class scored above 90% on the exam." In this sentence, "at least several" is used to convey that there were more than a few students who scored well on the exam, but the exact number is not specified. This phrase is often used to provide a rough estimate or to indicate that there is a minimum number or amount required.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Or at least several TV series.

The New York Times

There are at least several options available.

Yale University

"That's still at least several weeks away".

The New York Times

Give your recommenders at least several weeks' notice.

Cornell University

Labs meet at least several times during the term.

Cornell University

Lab meets at least several times per term.

Cornell University

A decision is not expected for at least several weeks.

The New York Times

But the company's explanation leaves at least several questions unanswered.

The Guardian - Opinion

The approval process will take at least several months.

The New York Times

But they are at least several miles away from us.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Usually it is at least several thousand dollars.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at least several" to indicate a quantity that you know is more than a few but don't need to specify exactly. This is useful when precision isn't necessary or when the exact number is unknown.

Common error

Avoid using "at least several" excessively in formal writing where specific numbers would be more informative and credible. If the exact number is known, it's better to use it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at least several" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating a minimum quantity that is more than a few. As shown by Ludwig, it's used across different contexts, as shown by the numerous examples available.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

28%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at least several" is a very common phrase used to indicate a minimum quantity greater than a few, without specifying an exact number. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While versatile, it's best used when precision isn't crucial; otherwise, specifying an exact number improves clarity. Related phrases like "a minimum of several" or "quite a few" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minimum of several

Emphasizes the lower boundary of the quantity.

several or more

Highlights the possibility of a greater quantity than several.

no fewer than several

Highlights that the actual number is not less than the stated amount.

more than a couple

More explicitly defines the minimum quantity by contrasting it with a smaller number.

a handful of

Indicates a small, indefinite number, similar to "several" but slightly less precise.

quite a few

Suggests a noticeable, but not overwhelming, quantity.

a number of

A general way to indicate more than one, similar in meaning to "several".

multiple

Highlights the fact that there are more than one of something.

various

Emphasizes the diversity or variety of items, rather than just the quantity.

some

A general, non-specific term indicating a quantity greater than zero.

FAQs

How can I use "at least several" in a sentence?

Use "at least several" to indicate a minimum quantity or number. For example, "There are at least several options available", meaning there are more than a few options, but the exact number isn't specified.

What are some alternatives to "at least several"?

You can use alternatives like "a minimum of several", "quite a few", or "a number of" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "at least several" or specify a number?

It depends on the context. If the exact number is important or known, it's better to specify it. Use "at least several" when precision isn't necessary or the exact number is unknown but you want to indicate that it's more than just a few.

What's the difference between "at least several" and "several"?

"Several" implies an approximate number, usually between three and seven. "At least several" emphasizes that the actual number is no less than several, suggesting it could be higher.