several eggs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several eggs" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to an unspecified number of eggs that is more than two but not many. An example is: "I bought several eggs for the recipe." Alternative expressions include "a few eggs" and "some eggs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

He was the target of several eggs, one hitting him on the head.

The Guardian

So the announcement of a discovery of a whole pile of pterosaurs, and with several eggs as well, is clearly a tremendous find.

The Guardian

Last year, a mallard took up housekeeping on a sidewalk a few blocks from the White House, built a nest and laid several eggs.

The New York Times

They obtained several eggs from it and fertilized them successfully, but the problem of the nutrition and support of the embryo was more difficult.

The New Yorker

During treatment, several eggs are fertilised, Dr Richard Paulson, director of the fertility programme at the University of Southern California, told the Los Angeles Times.

The Guardian

The car, with three officers inside, was patrolling Cross Bay Boulevard around 4 35 p.m. when it was struck by several eggs, according to the police.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Female spiders produce either one egg sac containing several to a thousand eggs or several egg sacs each with successively fewer eggs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

40 eggs!* That would mean I might have to do several egg retrieval cycles.

Huffington Post

I'm also a sucker for homemade mayonnaise (fancy name -- aioli), even though it calls for ½ cup of oil and several egg yolks.

Huffington Post

Females from the common cage also laid several egg batches.

Plosone

Mating pairs lay several egg clutches in rapid succession and the fertilized eggs within these clutches often differ in genotype.

BMC Ecology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "several eggs" in a recipe, be mindful of the specific quantities desired. If precision is needed, consider specifying the exact number of eggs instead.

Common error

Avoid using "several eggs" when you need a precise number of eggs. "Several" suggests a quantity greater than two but less than many. If the recipe requires an exact amount, specify the number, e.g., "three eggs" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several eggs" functions as a noun phrase, where "several" acts as a determiner specifying an indefinite quantity and "eggs" is the noun. This indicates more than two eggs, but not a large number. Ludwig examples demonstrate this in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

28%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

13%

Huffington Post

5%

Los Angeles Times

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "several eggs" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase. It serves to indicate an indefinite quantity of eggs, greater than two but less than many, as indicated by Ludwig. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news reports to scientific studies. While versatile, it's essential to use it judiciously, specifying exact quantities when precision is paramount. Ludwig's analysis confirms that the phrase is widely accepted and understood, highlighting its value in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few eggs

This is a more informal and general way to indicate a small quantity of eggs.

some eggs

This is a very common and neutral way to refer to an unspecified quantity of eggs.

a good few eggs

This is a slightly more emphatic way of saying 'a few eggs', suggesting a reasonable quantity.

quite a few eggs

Implies a more significant quantity compared to just 'a few', but still not a large amount.

a number of eggs

This phrase is slightly more formal and emphasizes that there's more than just a couple of eggs.

multiple eggs

Similar to 'a number of eggs', this highlights that more than one egg is present.

a handful of eggs

This suggests a quantity that can be held in one hand, implying a small to moderate amount.

various eggs

Emphasizes the diversity or selection of eggs, rather than just the quantity.

a couple of eggs

This refers to around two eggs.

not just one egg

Focuses on denying there is only one egg, rather than specifying how many exist.

FAQs

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

You can use "several eggs" to indicate a small, unspecified number of eggs, like in "I need "several eggs" for this cake recipe" or "She collected "several eggs" from the chicken coop this morning".

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

While both indicate a small quantity, ""several eggs"" often implies a slightly larger number than "a few eggs". The distinction is subtle and context-dependent.

Is it better to say "a number of eggs" or "several eggs"?

"A number of eggs" is more formal than ""several eggs"". Choose the phrase that best suits the tone and context of your writing.

Can I use "several eggs" when the exact number of eggs is important?

If precision is needed, avoid using ""several eggs"". Instead, specify the exact number. For example, say "Use three eggs" rather than "Use "several eggs"".