several million

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several million" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an approximate quantity that is in the millions, often in contexts such as population, financial figures, or statistics. Example: "The charity raised several million dollars to support the local community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Several million people attend.

The New York Times

Several million, I guess.

The Guardian

Several million jobs will be created.

The Economist

"Several million dollars," he said, finally.

The New Yorker

Several million others, though, have switched off.

Independent

Several million of these readers live overseas.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Firms typically put several million dollars on the line.

The New York Times

Monkey studies can cost up to several million dollars.

The New York Times - Health

The other major candidates have each raised several million dollars.

The New York Times

The court awarded them several million dollars.

Vice

The monetary damages exceeded several million dollars.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "several million", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being quantified. For example, specify "several million dollars" or "several million people" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "several million" when a more precise number is available. If you have exact figures, use them instead of approximating with "several million".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several million" functions as a determiner phrase quantifying a noun. It indicates an approximate quantity in the millions, more than two but less than a definite large number. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "several million" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a quantity within the millions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and serves to provide an estimate. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it conveys an approximate amount when precision is either unavailable or unnecessary. While alternatives like "a few million" or "millions of" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of specificity. When employing "several million", ensure contextual clarity and avoid its use when precise figures are accessible. Furthermore, while the phrase is acceptable in general English, remember to choose a more specific quantity when available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few million

Indicates a smaller, less precise quantity in the millions.

millions of

A more general way to refer to a quantity in the millions.

multiple millions

Emphasizes that the quantity is more than just one million, but still unspecified.

a number of millions

Similar to "a few million" but slightly more formal.

in the millions

Expresses that the quantity falls within the range of millions without specifying an exact amount.

ranging in the millions

Indicates a varying amount, but always within the millions.

numbering in the millions

Implies a counting process leading to a quantity in the millions.

easily millions

Highlights that the quantity reaches at least the millions.

something in the millions

A vague way to describe an amount that is suspected to be in the millions.

a multi-million amount

More formal way to indicate an amount in millions, often referring to money.

FAQs

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

You can use "several million" to describe a quantity that is more than two million but not precisely known. For example, "The project cost "several million dollars"".

What can I say instead of "several million"?

Alternatives include "a few million", "millions of", or "multiple millions", depending on the level of precision required.

Is it better to use "several million" or a more specific number?

If you know the exact number, use it for greater accuracy. Use "several million" when an exact number isn't available or necessary, or when conveying an approximate amount is sufficient.

What does "several million" imply about the quantity?

"Several million" suggests a quantity greater than two million, but less than ten million. The term ""a few million"" might suggest a smaller range, while "many millions" suggests a larger range.