several hairs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several hairs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity of hair strands, often in contexts related to grooming, biology, or descriptions of physical appearance. Example: "After brushing my hair, I noticed several hairs on the floor that needed to be cleaned up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Two years later, in 1980, aged six, I woke up one morning to find several hairs on my pillow.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I learned that he had reported collecting several hairs on Horton's painting, which were the same brown color as Pollock's.

The New Yorker

Investigators had found in the Eastburns' house several hairs — including a pubic hair — that belonged to neither Hennis nor the victims.

The New Yorker

But Linda Jonas saw no need for professional help when she tugged several hairs from her grandmother's head as she lay in her casket.

The New York Times

These are all mere accompaniments to the main attraction: a soaring gold-leaf-covered stupa said to contain several hairs of the Buddha in a sealed chamber.

The New York Times - Travel

Throughout the trial, Mr. Litman also tried to cast doubt on the integrity of evidence against Mr. Ko, arguing that the police planted blood from the scene on a knife in Mr. Ko's parents' apartment and several hairs on clothing sent to an F.B.I. crime laboratory.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Unilever has several hair care brands of its own including Suave, Finesse and Salon Selectives.

The New York Times

Models wore several hair looks, but what unified them was a deep side part.

The New York Times

They include several hair-raising and moving stories about Mohammed's time in Guantánamo.

The New Yorker

He began learning English from customers at several hair shops and finally at Astor Place.

The New York Times

A passage in double and triple stops, with heavy bow pressure and grating sonority, provides the first of several hair-raising moments in the work.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical observation (e.g., in forensic science or personal grooming), use "several hairs" to indicate a small, non-specific number of hair strands. Be mindful of the context and choose more precise quantifiers like "a few" or "a couple" if the number is known.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "several hairs" can sound informal or vague in scientific writing. Use more precise quantities (e.g., "three hairs") or more descriptive terms (e.g., "sparse hair samples") to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several hairs" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition in a sentence. It identifies a quantity of hair strands. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used in diverse contexts, from personal anecdotes to scientific analyses.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "several hairs" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a small number of hair strands. As Ludwig AI confirms, it finds use in a variety of contexts, including news reports, scientific discussions, and general descriptions. While "several hairs" is generally acceptable, it's important to consider the formality of the context; more precise quantifiers may be preferred in scientific or formal writing. Key takeaways include understanding that it is suitable for indicating a non-specific quantity and that alternatives like "a few hairs" or specifying a number might be better in certain situations. Therefore, choosing "several hairs" is a matter of balancing clarity with the appropriate level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few hairs

Replaces "several" with a more general term indicating a small quantity.

some hairs

Uses a less specific quantifier than "several".

a number of hairs

More formal way of expressing the concept of multiple hairs.

a couple of hairs

Indicates a smaller quantity, specifically two.

multiple strands of hair

Replaces "hairs" with a more descriptive term, "strands of hair".

a few strands

Combines the less specific quantifier with the more descriptive term.

some strands of hair

Similar to “a few strands”, but with an even less defined quantity.

a small cluster of hairs

Emphasizes that the hairs are grouped together.

a handful of hairs

Uses "handful" for a small quantity, but not literally a full handful.

a sprinkling of hairs

Suggests a very sparse distribution of hair.

FAQs

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

You can use "several hairs" to describe a small quantity of hair. For example, "I found several hairs on my pillow this morning."

What's a more formal way to say "several hairs"?

For a more formal tone, you could use "a number of hairs" or specify the quantity more precisely, such as "three strands of hair".

When is it appropriate to use "several hairs" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to indicate a small, non-specific quantity of hair strands, such as describing a minor detail in a physical examination or a casual observation.

What are some alternatives to "several hairs"?

Alternatives include "a few "hairs"", "some "hairs"", or if you want to be more descriptive, "multiple strands of "hair"".