several detainees

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several detainees" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a group of individuals who are being held in custody, typically in a legal or law enforcement context. Example: "The report indicated that several detainees were awaiting trial for various charges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Still, the list shows that the task force believed several detainees who were severely abused in United States custody can still be prosecuted.

The New York Times

"Several" detainees?

The Guardian - Opinion

Several detainees said the leaders were punished with isolation or were transferred to distant detention centers.

The New York Times

Among their complaints are the length of their detentions and inadequate medical treatment, several detainees said.

The New York Times

Nothing has changed," said Carlos Warner, a lawyer for several detainees.

The Guardian

Several detainees however mention seeing or meeting Bin Laden before or during the battle.

The Guardian

One of them bellowed, "Who wants medicine?" Several detainees lifted their hands.

The New Yorker

Several detainees were beaten as they were herded through the crowd, despite calls by many protesters to treat them peacefully.

The New York Times

"No lawyers could possibly predict what conduct might fall within the law," said David Remes, who represents several detainees.

The New York Times

At the end of the corridor, several detainees were hanging by their bound arms to the roof.

The Guardian

Several detainees said health workers sometimes instructed interrogators to continue, adjust or stop particular methods of abuse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "several detainees", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for their detention and avoid generalizations that could perpetuate negative stereotypes. Always prioritize factual accuracy and impartiality.

Common error

Avoid assuming all "several detainees" are guilty of a crime or that their treatment is justified. Treat each case with individual consideration and avoid broad, sweeping statements about their character or circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several detainees" functions as a noun phrase, where "several" is a determiner indicating quantity and "detainees" is the noun referring to individuals held in custody. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "several detainees" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, primarily within the realm of news and media. According to Ludwig AI, it serves the function of identifying and referring to a group of individuals in custody. While the phrase itself maintains a neutral register, it's crucial to employ it thoughtfully, ensuring accuracy and avoiding generalizations that could perpetuate bias. Alternatives like "a number of prisoners" or "multiple captives" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Remember to prioritize factual integrity and impartiality when writing about this sensitive topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a group of detainees

Adds "group of" to specify a collective, maintaining the original term.

some prisoners

A simpler and more direct alternative using "prisoners".

a number of prisoners

Replaces "detainees" with "prisoners", focusing on incarceration.

multiple captives

Substitutes "detainees" with "captives", emphasizing the state of being held.

some individuals in detention

More descriptive, replacing "detainees" with "individuals in detention".

numerous individuals held

Replaces "several" with "numerous" and uses "held" instead of "detainees".

a few individuals in custody

Rephrases the concept with a more descriptive and formal tone.

various inmates

Uses "inmates" instead of "detainees", typically referring to those in correctional facilities.

certain arrestees

Employs "arrestees" to specifically denote those who have been arrested.

a quantity of internees

Substitutes "detainees" with "internees", often used in the context of wartime or political imprisonment.

FAQs

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

You can use "several detainees" to refer to a group of individuals being held in custody. For example: "The report indicated that "several detainees" were awaiting trial."

What's a more formal alternative to "several detainees"?

A more formal alternative would be "a number of individuals in custody" or "multiple persons detained". These phrases offer a more detached and professional tone.

Is it appropriate to use "several detainees" in all contexts?

While grammatically correct, the phrase "several detainees" should be used judiciously. In sensitive contexts, consider using more neutral language to avoid potential bias or misinterpretation.

What's the difference between "several detainees" and "some detainees"?

"Several" implies more than two but less than many, while "some" is less specific. If you want to convey a more precise sense of quantity, "several" is preferable.