several hundreds of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several hundreds of" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a large, but unspecified, number within the range of several hundred. It is often used in place of the specific number for more general or approximate descriptions. Example: The grocery store sold several hundreds of apples today.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"At home, I have several hundreds of books.

The New Yorker

It represents several hundreds of millions of francs.

The New York Times

The source said the stolen goods were valued at "several hundreds of thousands of euros".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Several hundreds of tonnes of sarin.

BBC

That's another several hundreds of million dollars.

TechCrunch

Such activity would correspond to several hundreds of patient doses.

EJNMMI Research

Several hundreds of joints are involved in one apparatus generally.

Cryogenics

It could come to several hundreds of thousands of pounds".

BBC

In hyperspectral images, a vector with several hundreds of spectrums is assigned to each spatial position.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

In a typical synthesis, several hundreds of milligrams can be obtained.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Left: a make-up with several hundreds of beads is used for building the shape model.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "several hundreds of" when you want to indicate a quantity in the hundreds without being precise. It's suitable for situations where an exact number isn't known or isn't necessary.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on vague quantifiers like "several hundreds of" in contexts where precision is expected. If the exact number is available or can be reasonably estimated, provide it for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several hundreds of" functions as a quantifier, specifically indicating an indefinite quantity that falls within the range of multiple hundreds. As Ludwig shows, this quantifier is used to describe amounts, numbers, or quantities without needing to be precise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "several hundreds of" is a versatile phrase used to express an approximate quantity in the hundreds, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a quantifier and is suitable for various contexts, particularly in science, news media, and formal writing. While precision is sometimes preferred, the phrase provides a convenient way to convey scale without needing exact numbers. It's important to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in situations where precise figures are expected. Related alternatives include "a few hundred" and "hundreds of", providing options for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hundreds of

This alternative is a more concise way of expressing the same idea, omitting "several" for brevity.

a few hundred

This alternative expresses a similar quantity but suggests a slightly smaller number than the original phrase.

some hundreds of

This phrase is a slightly more formal or old-fashioned way to express the same quantity.

a good few hundred

This alternative is more colloquial than the original phrase and includes an element of subjectivity.

approximately three hundred

This phrase provides a more specific estimate within the range of "several hundreds of".

in the hundreds

This option shifts the focus to the numerical range itself, rather than the quantity of items.

multiple hundreds

This option highlights that there are more than one hundred, emphasizing the multiplicity.

a number of hundreds

This alternative is less common and emphasizes the grouping of items into hundreds.

various hundreds

This alternative is focuses on the diversity among the hundreds being referenced.

several sets of a hundred

This option stresses the composition in sets of one hundred units.

FAQs

How can I use "several hundreds of" in a sentence?

You can use "several hundreds of" to describe a quantity that is more than two hundred but not precisely specified. For example, "The library contains "several hundreds of books" on various subjects."

What are some alternatives to "several hundreds of"?

Alternatives include "a few hundred", "hundreds of", or more specific estimates like "approximately three hundred", depending on the context.

Is "several hundreds of" formal or informal?

"Several hundreds of" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise language might be preferred in highly formal situations.

When is it appropriate to use "several hundreds of" instead of a specific number?

It is appropriate when the exact number is unknown, not important, or when providing a range is sufficient. For instance, "Several hundreds of people attended the conference", if the exact attendance figure is not crucial to the message.