several different

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several different" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to multiple items that are not the same. For example, "The store had several different types of apples to choose from."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several different wieners.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Several different versions are possible.

The Guardian

Some said several different stories.

The New York Times

There are several different brands.

Harvard University

Several different standards are vying for supremacy.

The Economist

Mechanoreceptors are also of several different types.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This could happen in several different ways.

The Economist

There are several different types of dermatomes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lotus, any of several different plants.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are several different strands in Neopythagoreanism.

SEP

That's for chairing several different committees.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid redundancy by ensuring the items or concepts modified by "several different" are, in fact, distinct. If the items are implicitly different, consider using only "several".

Common error

Be mindful of redundancy. In many cases, using just "several" is sufficient if the differences are already clear from the context. For example, instead of "several different options", consider "several options" if the options are obviously not the same.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several different" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying and qualifying a noun. It indicates that there are multiple items being referenced, and these items are not the same as each other. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

20%

News & Media

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

13%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "several different" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate the presence of multiple, distinct items. Ludwig AI validates this usage, and the numerous examples showcase its application across diverse contexts like news, academia, and general writing. When using "several different", ensure that both multiplicity and distinction are relevant to the context, avoiding redundancy. Consider alternatives like "various distinct" or "numerous diverse" for a more formal tone, and remember that alternatives like "many different" may imply a larger quantity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

various distinct

Replaces "several" with "various" and "different" with "distinct" to emphasize variety and clear separation.

multiple unique

Substitutes "several" with "multiple" and "different" with "unique", highlighting the numerous and individual nature of the items.

numerous diverse

Replaces "several" with "numerous" and "different" with "diverse", focusing on the high quantity and varied nature.

a number of varied

Uses "a number of" in place of "several" and "varied" instead of "different", emphasizing quantity and variation.

assorted diverse

Replaces "several different" with "assorted diverse", focusing on the mixed and varied nature.

some distinct

Uses "some" to indicate quantity and "distinct" to emphasize clear differentiation.

a few varied

Employs "a few" to suggest a small quantity and "varied" to highlight differences.

various kinds of

Emphasizes the variety of types using the phrase "various kinds of".

multiple sorts of

Highlights the numerous types with the phrase "multiple sorts of".

a range of diverse

Indicates a spectrum of diversity with the phrase "a range of diverse".

FAQs

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

You can use "several different" to describe a collection of items that are both numerous and distinct. For instance, "The museum showcased several different artifacts from ancient civilizations."

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

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "various distinct" or "numerous diverse". For example, "The study examined numerous diverse approaches to solving the problem."

Is it redundant to say "several different types"?

While not grammatically incorrect, saying "several different types" can sometimes be redundant. Consider whether "several types" is sufficient, as the word "types" often implies difference. However, if you need to emphasize the variety, "several different types" is acceptable.

What's the difference between "several different" and "many different"?

"Several different" implies a smaller quantity than "many different". While both indicate variety, "several" suggests a limited number, whereas "many" suggests a larger, less defined quantity. You might use "many different" options when you want to emphasize a large number of choices.