several of whom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several of whom" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a subset of people or things previously mentioned, indicating that there are multiple individuals or items being discussed. Example: "The committee members included experts from various fields, several of whom had published influential research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Another 54 are children, several of whom attend Australian schools.

The Guardian

Black hand picked these outside directors, several of whom were his personal friends.

Harvard University

At a third table were six stockbrokers, several of whom came every Tuesday.

The New York Times

Distrust spread among the writers, several of whom claim that financial dealings with MTM became distressing.

The New York Times - Arts

Eighteen others were injured, several of whom remain in hospital in with life-threatening injuries.

The Guardian

"The more junior, several of whom were women, would sit in the seating area.

The New Yorker

The recipients include mailroom and clerical employees, several of whom have physical or mental handicaps.

The New York Times

The main family were a family of 12, several of whom had lost brothers and sisters.

The Guardian - Film

The club lost a number of members, several of whom worked for Big Blue.

The New York Times

Post-relocation, attacks rose to an annual average of 17, and several of whom died.

The Guardian

Many are Conservative donors, several of whom received honours and peerages under the coalition government.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "several of whom", ensure the antecedent (the group being referred to) is clear and unambiguous. This helps avoid confusion for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "several who" instead of "several of whom" when the pronoun acts as the object of a preposition. "Whom" is the correct form in this relative clause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several of whom" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun phrase that refers to a group of people. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in formal contexts to provide additional information about some members of the group. See examples extracted from news articles and academic papers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "several of whom" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as a relative clause. It serves to specify a subset within a larger group, typically in neutral to formal contexts. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and finds prevalence in academic and journalistic writing. To ensure correct usage, remember that "whom" is necessary and it should refer clearly to a previously mentioned group. Although alternatives like "many of whom" or "some of whom" exist, "several of whom" maintains a specific nuance of moderate quantity and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many of whom

Emphasizes a large proportion of the group, similar to "several of whom" but potentially implying a greater number.

a number of whom

Offers a more neutral and slightly less formal alternative, indicating an unspecified quantity.

some of whom

Indicates that at least a portion of the group is being referred to, without specifying the exact quantity.

a few of whom

Implies a smaller subset of the group, suggesting that only a limited number are relevant.

certain of whom

Highlights specific individuals within the group, emphasizing their particular characteristics or roles.

those of whom

Refers specifically to individuals or entities that fit a previously mentioned description, implying a selective focus.

some among whom

Indicates a selection within a larger collection, more conversational than "several of whom".

various of whom

Highlights the diversity within the group, suggesting a range of different types or individuals.

those from whom

Focuses on the origin or source of something, often emphasizing a hierarchical or influential relationship.

individuals among whom

Underscores the uniqueness of each member while maintaining the sense of belonging to a broader group.

FAQs

How do I use "several of whom" correctly in a sentence?

Use "several of whom" to refer back to a previously mentioned group of people, specifying that a subset of that group is being discussed. For instance, "The applicants impressed the board, "several of whom" had prior experience".

What are some alternatives to "several of whom"?

Alternatives include phrases like "many of whom", "a number of whom", or "some of whom". The best choice depends on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever correct to use "several who" instead of "several of whom"?

No, "several who" is generally incorrect when referring to a subset of a previously mentioned group and when a prepositional phrase is required. The correct form is "several of whom", where "whom" acts as the object of the preposition "of".

What is the difference between "several of whom" and "many of whom"?

"Several of whom" indicates a moderate number, whereas "many of whom" implies a larger proportion of the group. The choice depends on the context and the specific quantity you want to convey.