several chairs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several chairs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an unspecified number of chairs that is more than two but not many. Example: "The conference room was filled with several chairs arranged in a circle for the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

He continues to sit in several chairs simultaneously".

The New York Times

Mr. Lewis has also designed several chairs that the retailer is mass-producing in China.

The New York Times

A table and several chairs indicate a throne, wall, mountain, or other location.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There were a sofa and several chairs covered in brown leather.

The New Yorker

She positioned herself in front of Africa, looking tired, several chairs away from her interviewer.

The New York Times

The typical Maine smelt shanty has a rough wooden floor, a wood stove and several chairs.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

What a performance from Cockroft - the Halifax native who was the first ever athlete to break a gold medal in this stadium (during the test event) adds a Paralympics gold to her World title, accelerates quite slowly but slowly builds up speed to push herself over the finish line several chair lengths ahead of her nearest rival.

The Guardian - Sport

The match started with several chair shots from both competitors.

Wikipedia

Additionally, Carey was dressed in blue jeans and a white blouse, and danced several chair routines with several male dancers.

Wikipedia

Despite the generous space, which housed two camelback sofas, a writing desk, a rocking chair and several occasional chairs and tables, there was no king-size bed with down-filled duvet and plump pillows.

The New York Times - Travel

One limitation of this paper is that by design, it represents the opinions of several department chairs and vice-chairs.

BMC Ophthalmology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "several chairs" when you want to indicate a quantity greater than a few but not a large number. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "several chairs" when you mean only two chairs (use "a couple of chairs" instead) or when you need to emphasize a very large number of chairs (use "many chairs" or "numerous chairs").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several chairs" functions as a noun phrase. It combines the determiner "several", indicating an indefinite quantity greater than two or three, with the plural noun "chairs", denoting the objects being quantified. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "several chairs" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to indicate an indefinite quantity of chairs, more than a few but not a large number. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently in news articles and general writing and carries a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When a more precise number is needed, or when referring to only two chairs, alternative phrases should be used. Ludwig's examples demonstrate the phrase's versatility and appropriate usage in real-world contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a number of chairs

Emphasizes an unspecified quantity of chairs, similar to "several chairs".

a few chairs

Indicates a small number of chairs, implying fewer than "several chairs".

multiple chairs

Highlights the existence of more than one chair, akin to "several chairs".

various chairs

Stresses the diversity in the types or styles of chairs, while "several chairs" simply notes quantity.

some chairs

A general term for an unspecified amount of chairs, like the query but slightly more vague.

a collection of chairs

Suggests a group of chairs, implying they may be related or gathered together.

a set of chairs

Indicates chairs designed to be used together, often matching in style.

a group of chairs

Highlights that chairs are together, which is not the case of the query.

a couple of chairs

Indicates a smaller number of chairs, specifically two chairs.

an assortment of chairs

Emphasizes a varied selection of chairs, while "several chairs" focuses on quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "several chairs" to describe a situation where there are more than a few chairs, but not an overwhelming number. For example, "The room was arranged with "several chairs" around a large table."

What's the difference between "several chairs" and "a few chairs"?

"A few chairs" implies a smaller quantity than ""several chairs"". Use "a few" when the number is closer to two or three, and "several" for a slightly larger, less defined number.

What are some alternatives to saying "several chairs"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a number of chairs", "multiple chairs", or "various chairs" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it ever incorrect to use "several chairs"?

While generally correct, avoid using ""several chairs"" if you are referring to only two chairs (use "a couple of chairs" instead) or when precision is required (use a specific number, such as "five chairs").