multiple friends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "multiple friends" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to more than one friend, indicating a quantity greater than two. Example: "I have multiple friends who enjoy hiking and outdoor activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He will be greatly missed by his colleagues, other health care persons and multiple friends.

The New York Times

"I've had multiple friends get out and get a job as Federal Marshals or with the DEA or whatever agency and get the job they wanted," he says.

The Guardian - Money

Lesbians here, or the multiple friends and acquaintances I know personally from that community, all agree that he did not speak to them, from them or about them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Staff who lost multiple friends during the attack were bussing tables the next day because, like many of those who died, they have service jobs.

The Guardian

Later, I understood from multiple friends that A was a violent misogynist, who took from girls what could not be taken back.

The New Yorker

We along with our multiple friends want to mourn the loss of a wonderful man, Alvin Rush and express sincere condolences to his wonderful and loving family.

The New York Times

If a disproportionate number of stay-behind graduates seem to be artists who work more than one job, live with multiple friends and play a string instrument, it's not necessarily a coincidence.

The New York Times

The lack of group chats can be frustrating though: you can send a single snap to multiple friends at once, but you can't all discuss it in the same thread.

The Guardian - Tech

Local retailers will be able to offer several different kinds of deals, including one-time offers and loyalty rewards, as well as "friend deals," for those who check in and "tag" multiple friends.

The New York Times - Tech

Brad Hunstable started Ustream, an online video platform, with a fellow West Point graduate back in 2007 to help American troops overseas communicate with multiple friends and family members at the same time.

The New York Times

They prefer to spend their phone time moving seamlessly between several conversations, catching up on the latest news and updates by text and on Facebook with multiple friends, instead of just one or two.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to emphasize that you're referring to more than just a few friends, "multiple friends" is a good choice. It is more precise than saying "some friends".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "multiple friends" might sound slightly formal in casual conversation. In such contexts, consider using more relaxed alternatives like "several friends" or "a bunch of friends".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "multiple friends" functions as a noun phrase, specifically an adjective ("multiple") modifying a noun ("friends"). Ludwig confirms its usability, indicating it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "multiple friends" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to indicate more than two friends. According to Ludwig, it's considered correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, showing a broad applicability. While "multiple friends" maintains a neutral tone suitable for various scenarios, consider more informal alternatives like "several friends" or "a bunch of friends" in casual settings. By understanding its function and purpose, you can confidently use "multiple friends" to enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Several friends

Indicates a quantity of friends greater than two but less than many; it is a common and slightly more formal alternative.

Many friends

A straightforward and common way to indicate a large quantity of friends.

Numerous friends

Suggests a large number of friends; more formal and emphasizes a considerable quantity.

A number of friends

Similar to "several friends" but can sometimes imply a larger quantity.

A group of friends

Emphasizes the collective aspect of the friends, portraying them as a unit.

Various friends

Highlights the diversity or different kinds of friends involved.

Quite a few friends

An informal way to express that there are more than just a few friends.

A multitude of friends

Emphasizes a very large number of friends, more dramatic and less common.

Plenty of friends

Suggests an adequate or abundant number of friends; more informal.

A host of friends

Similar to "a multitude of friends", suggesting a large and abundant group.

FAQs

How can I use "multiple friends" in a sentence?

You can use "multiple friends" to indicate that you are referring to more than two friends. For example, "I went to the movies with "several friends" last night".

What's a good alternative to saying "multiple friends"?

Alternatives to "multiple friends" include "numerous friends", "several friends", or "many friends", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "multiple friends" or "many friends"?

"Multiple friends" suggests more than a few, while "many friends" indicates a large number. The choice depends on the actual quantity; both are grammatically correct, but "many friends" implies a greater quantity.

In what situations is it best to use "multiple friends"?

"Multiple friends" is suitable in both formal and informal settings when you want to be specific about referring to more than just one or two friends, and do not wish to imply an overwhelmingly large number like "many friends" might.