several miles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several miles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time to indicate a distance or use it to express a figurative distance. For example, "The two of them had grown several miles apart in their relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One miner ran several miles a day.

The New York Times

Proceed for several miles on University Ave.

Stanford University

Follow this road for several miles.

Stanford University

The William awaited several miles off shore.

The New York Times

"It's also several miles from Heathrow".

The Guardian

Isis held villages now several miles away.

The Guardian

This location is typically several miles below ground.

University of California, Berkeley

Several miles south, signs point out a "Big Cedar Tree".

The New York Times

A few seconds' difference can affect traffic for several miles.

The Economist

Several miles away from the school, he is lost again.

The New Yorker

He sometimes stays "several miles" from his recruiting destination.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing directions, follow "several miles" with specific landmarks or road names to give context.

Common error

Avoid using "several miles" in contexts requiring precise measurements (e.g., scientific reports or engineering documents). Opt for specific numerical values instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several miles" functions as a quantifier phrase, specifying an approximate distance. It modifies a noun, providing information about its extent in terms of miles, similar to examples found on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

18%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "several miles" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an approximate distance. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it's used across various contexts, especially in News & Media. The phrase serves to give an estimation of distance when a precise measurement isn't necessary or available. When writing, it's best to use it for general descriptions and avoid it in technical contexts that require specific numbers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few miles

Indicates a shorter, less definite distance than "several miles".

many miles

Suggests a longer, more indefinite distance.

a number of miles

More formal and precise than "several miles".

some miles

Similar in meaning to "several miles" but less common.

a considerable distance

Emphasizes the length of the distance.

a significant distance

Highlights the importance or impact of the distance.

various miles

Emphasizes the variability of the distance.

multiple miles

Highlights a distance formed by more than one mile.

extended distance

Highlights the magnitude of the distance.

certain miles

Indicates specific and known miles

FAQs

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

You can use "several miles" to describe distances, such as: "The town is located "several miles" from the coast" or "They walked "several miles" to reach the summit".

What are some alternatives to "several miles"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a few miles", "many miles", or "a considerable distance".

Is it more appropriate to say "several miles" or "a few miles"?

"Several miles" suggests a greater distance than "a few miles". The best choice depends on the actual distance you want to convey.

Can "several miles" be used figuratively?

While primarily used for physical distances, ""several miles"" can sometimes be used figuratively to emphasize a significant difference or separation, although this is less common.