several members

USAGE SUMMARY

"several members" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of people or items, such as: "Several members of the committee were absent from the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several members appeared near tears.

The New York Times - Sports

Several members of Araliaceae are economically important.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Several members of Congress made similar appeals.

The New York Times

Several members of the subcommittee expressed outrage.

The New York Times - Tech

Several members of Congress, led by Reps.

The Washington Post

Several members of SLC26 isoforms are expressed in the kidney.

Seminars in Nephrology

Several members of the Guardian team have been getting involved.

The Guardian

(Several members will participate in post-performance discussions).

The New York Times - Arts

Johnson, several members of the Arizona Diamondbacks asserted, is human.

The New York Times - Sports

"What?" said several members of the jury in unison.

The Guardian

"Glacial" is the word used by several members.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "several members" with a more specific number if the exact count is known and relevant to the context. Precision enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "several members" when referring to a vast majority or near-complete consensus. "Most members" or "a majority of members" would be more appropriate in such cases. "Several members" implies only a limited subset.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several members" functions primarily as a determiner + noun phrase. It identifies a non-specific, limited quantity of individuals belonging to a larger group. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "several members" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to indicate a subset of a group. Ludwig AI analysis, along with numerous real-world examples, demonstrates its prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "several members" is generally considered neutral, its precise meaning—more than a few, but not the majority—should be carefully considered to avoid ambiguity. For situations requiring greater precision, consider using alternative phrases like "a few members" or specifying the exact number when available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few members

Implies a smaller quantity than "several members".

some members

A more general term, less specific about quantity than "several members".

various members

Emphasizes the diversity of the members more than the quantity.

numerous members

Highlights a large quantity of members.

a number of members

A more formal way to express the idea of "several members".

certain members

Indicates specific, but unnamed, members.

multiple members

Focuses on the fact that there is more than one member involved.

a portion of the membership

A more formal way of indicating a subset of members.

a selection of members

Implies a deliberate choice of specific members.

a handful of members

Indicates a small and easily managed number of members.

FAQs

How do I use "several members" in a sentence?

Use "several members" to indicate that more than two, but not many, individuals belonging to a group are involved in something. Example: "Several members of the committee voiced their concerns.

What's a good alternative to "several members"?

Depending on the context, consider using "a few members", "some members", or "various members" as alternatives to "several members".

Is it ever incorrect to use "several members"?

Yes, it would be incorrect to use "several members" if you're referring to a very small group (like only two people) or if you're referring to almost everyone in a large group. In those cases, "a couple of members" or "most members" would be more accurate.

How does "several members" differ from "many members"?

"Several members" implies a smaller quantity than "many members". While "several" suggests more than a few, "many" suggests a considerable number. If you want to convey a large portion of the group, use "many members"; otherwise, stick with "several members".