several cards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several cards" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an unspecified number of cards that is more than two but not many, often in contexts like games, collections, or transactions. Example: "I found several cards in the drawer that I had forgotten about."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Mr. Pataki has several cards he can play.

The New York Times

It stores images on SDHC memory cards (up to 32GB), so you could take several cards.

The Guardian - Tech

Several cards, not just a handful of star players, have performed well in the secondary market.

The New York Times

The quiz contains several cards with trivia questions about the United States.

The New York Times

The yoga teacher flipped over several cards and told her that something great would happen for her in the spring.

The New York Times

Capital One offers several cards with no foreign exchange fees and no annual fee as well; card comparison site Cardhub.com has a list.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Hook also went to several card shows and awards lunches.

The New York Times - Sports

But several card analysts say it will probably take a while before any one technology standard becomes available across all phones and merchants.

The New York Times

"Lenders want to prove to themselves that it is worth taking a higher risk," said Brad Jolson, an executive of the decision management company FICO, who has helped several card companies analyze their customer base.

The New York Times

Among the many derived works are several prequel novellas, a TV series, a comic book adaptation, and several card, board and video games.

Wikipedia

Eleusis was also successful, appearing in several card game collections, such as Hoyle's Rules of Games and New Rules for Classic Games, among others.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "several cards", ensure the context makes it clear what type of cards you are referring to, be it credit cards, playing cards, or memory cards. This adds clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "several cards" when a more specific quantity is known or relevant. For example, if you know there are exactly five cards, it's better to say "five cards" than "several cards".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several cards" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun. The word "several" acts as a determiner indicating an indefinite quantity, specifying that there are more than two cards being referred to. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

34%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "several cards" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a quantity of cards greater than two, but not a large amount. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans diverse contexts, including news, wikis, and scientific publications. When using "several cards", context is critical to understanding the specific type of cards referred to. Remember to avoid overgeneralization by specifying a precise quantity when known. Alternative phrases such as "a number of cards" or "multiple cards" can also be used, depending on the level of formality desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a number of cards

Replaces "several" with "a number of", emphasizing quantity. Slightly more formal.

multiple cards

Uses "multiple" to indicate more than one card. More formal and precise.

a few cards

Indicates a small quantity of cards. Less formal than "several cards".

various cards

Emphasizes the variety or diversity of the cards, not just the quantity.

a variety of cards

Similar to 'various cards', highlights the different types available.

a selection of cards

Suggests a curated or chosen group of cards. Implies a deliberate choice.

a range of cards

Indicates a spectrum or scope of available card options.

some cards

A less precise way of saying more than two cards without specifying the number.

a handful of cards

Indicates a small, easily manageable number of cards.

more than a couple of cards

An informal way to express a quantity greater than two.

FAQs

How do I use "several cards" in a sentence?

"Several cards" is used to indicate a quantity greater than two. For example, "I have several cards in my wallet" or "The game requires several cards to be dealt to each player."

What can I say instead of "several cards"?

You can use alternatives like "a number of cards", "multiple cards", or "a few cards" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "several cards" or "many cards"?

"Several cards" implies a smaller quantity than "many cards". Use "several" when the exact number is not important, but it's understood to be more than two and less than a large amount. "Many cards" suggests a larger, more indefinite number.

Can "several cards" refer to credit cards only?

No, "several cards" can refer to any type of cards, including playing cards, credit cards, flashcards, or any other type of card. The context determines the type of card being discussed.