several ballots

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several ballots" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple voting papers or tickets in an election or voting context. Example: "The election officials counted several ballots to ensure the accuracy of the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Such a deadlock would probably require several ballots to resolve.

The New York Times

Mobile phone videos broadcast on television showed officials stamping several ballots without a voter present.

Independent

After several ballots, the prize went to Ezra Pound for "The Pisan Cantos".

The New York Times - Books

In pro football, electing a commissioner usually takes several months and several ballots.

The New York Times

Some people took several ballots and handed them to friends and relatives in the throng behind them.

The New York Times

But he has proposed several ballots before, then postponed them, canceled them, rescheduled them, put them off again.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Voters also considered several ballot measures.

The New York Times

As I've written about before, in addition to the elections this year, voters are being asked to decide several ballot initiatives across several states.

The Guardian

ONE of several ballot initiative stories lost in the hubbub surrounding Democratic victories Tuesday was Michigan voters' decision to forbid some forms of affirmative action.

The Economist

Gay marriage will be the subject of several ballot measures in November's election and is also at the centre of two high-profile legal cases.

Independent

The election on Nov. 6, which included races for city attorney, treasurer and several ballot measures, has not been certified by the Board of Supervisors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about elections or voting processes, use "several ballots" to clearly indicate multiple instances of voting papers or tickets were used or considered. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "several ballots" when referring to a single ballot or a general concept of voting. Use "a ballot" or "the ballot" when discussing individual instances or the general voting process.

Linguistic Context

"Several ballots" functions as a noun phrase, where "several" is a determiner specifying the quantity of "ballots". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is both correct and frequently used in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "several ballots" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for denoting multiple voting papers or tickets. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, and its prevalence in news and encyclopedic sources underscores its neutrality and wide applicability. For greater precision, consider alternatives like "multiple ballots" or "numerous ballots", but remember that "several" is appropriate for most contexts. Be mindful not to use it when referring to a single ballot. Keep in mind that the use of this phrase will clarify the idea of quantity and in cases like election results it can bring accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

multiple ballots

Replaces "several" with "multiple", emphasizing the existence of more than one ballot.

many ballots

Uses "many" instead of "several", simply indicating a large quantity of ballots.

numerous ballots

Substitutes "several" with "numerous", suggesting a large number of ballots.

a number of ballots

Uses a more general expression to indicate an unspecified quantity of ballots.

various ballots

Replaces "several" with "various", highlighting the diversity or variety of the ballots.

some ballots

A less specific way to refer to a quantity of ballots, implying an indefinite number.

multiple voting papers

Replaces "ballots" with "voting papers", focusing on the physical documents used for voting.

a selection of ballots

Emphasizes the idea of a chosen or representative set of ballots.

a collection of ballots

Suggests gathering multiple ballots together, possibly for counting or review.

a few ballots

Indicates a small quantity of ballots, providing a contrast in number.

FAQs

How can I use "several ballots" in a sentence?

You can use "several ballots" to describe situations involving multiple voting papers. For example: "The election officials counted several ballots to ensure accuracy" or "The committee reviewed several ballots that were challenged".

What's the difference between "several ballots" and "multiple ballots"?

The phrases "several ballots" and "multiple ballots" are nearly synonymous. "Multiple" might suggest a more definite or larger number than "several", but in most contexts, they are interchangeable.

What are some alternatives to "several ballots"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "numerous ballots", "a number of ballots", or "many ballots" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "several ballots" in formal writing?

Yes, "several ballots" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing election procedures, voting results, or policy matters. It's a neutral and clear way to refer to multiple voting documents.