several friends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several friends" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a number of friends, typically more than two but not many, in various contexts. Example: "I invited several friends over for dinner this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was painful for me several years ago when several friends were arrested.

The Washington Post

Several friends called me, worried.

The New York Times

"I've lost several friends.

The Guardian

I have made several friends and left several friends.

The Washington Post

Several friends in publishing were coming over.

The New York Times

Several friends have suggested economical alternatives.

The New York Times

Several friends and acquaintances have been kidnapped.

The Economist

He attended the weddings of several friends.

The New York Times - Sports

Several friends took part in the demonstrations.

The New Yorker

I was turned down by several friends.

The New York Times

The cause was cancer, several friends said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "several friends", ensure the context makes it clear that you are referring to more than two, but not an excessive number. It's a good middle ground between "a few" and "many".

Common error

Avoid using "several friends" when you only mean two, as "a couple of friends" is more appropriate in that case. "Several" implies more than just a pair.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several friends" functions as a noun phrase, where "several" acts as a determiner quantifying the noun "friends". Ludwig confirms this usage, showing it commonly precedes verbs to indicate actions involving a group of friends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

24%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "several friends" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase to denote more than a couple but not many friends. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. Using alternatives such as "a number of friends" or "a few friends" may be suitable depending on the desired level of specificity. Remember to avoid using "several" when referring to only two friends, opting for "a couple" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a number of friends

Uses "a number of" to indicate a quantity, similar to "several".

quite a few friends

Emphasizes that the number of friends is more than just a few.

a few friends

Employs "a few" as a less specific quantifier than "several".

some friends

Utilizes "some" as a general term for an unspecified quantity of friends.

a handful of friends

Implies a small, manageable number of friends.

many friends

Suggests a larger quantity than "several", emphasizing a greater number of friends.

numerous friends

Implies a large, but indefinite, quantity of friends.

a group of friends

Highlights that the friends are considered as a group, emphasizing collectivity.

various friends

Indicates that the friends are diverse or different from each other.

a couple of friends

Indicates a smaller quantity, specifically around two friends.

FAQs

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

You can use "several friends" to indicate that you are referring to more than two but not many friends. For example, "I invited "several friends" to my birthday party."

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

"Several friends" suggests a slightly larger quantity than "a few friends". While both indicate more than two, "several" might imply a more noticeable group.

Is it correct to say "several friend" instead of "several friends"?

No, it is incorrect. "Several" indicates more than one, so you must use the plural noun "friends". The correct phrase is ""several friends"".

What are some alternatives to "several friends"?

Alternatives include "a number of friends", "some friends", or "many friends", depending on the specific number and context.