several paragraphs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several paragraphs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific number of paragraphs in a text or document, indicating that there is more than one but not specifying an exact amount. Example: "The report consists of several paragraphs that detail the findings of the research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several paragraphs later, it does.

The New Yorker

The Daily Mail admitted this several paragraphs into its article.

The Guardian

I frantically crossed out several paragraphs of my novel.

The Guardian - Books

A few were single sentences, others several paragraphs.

The New York Times - Health

A Persona usually takes the form of several paragraphs of other physical embodiments of values.

Thoughts on Interaction Design

Subsequently, in several paragraphs inserted into a law on reservoirs and waterworks, he invalidated the restraints.

The New Yorker

The video is supplemented by several paragraphs of peer-reviewed text.

MIT Technology Review

"Gladly: I know nothing whatever about them," says Wilson, before holding forth for several paragraphs.

The New Yorker

Several paragraphs are then devoted to explaining the theory of moral hazard.

The New Yorker

The endings range from a short sentence or two to several paragraphs.

The New York Times - Books

Then come several paragraphs describing the workings of wheels, spindles, treadles and other such accouterments.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "several paragraphs" when you want to indicate more than one paragraph without specifying the exact number. It implies a moderate quantity.

Common error

Avoid using "several paragraphs" repeatedly in the same document. Vary your language with alternatives like "a few paragraphs" or "multiple paragraphs" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several paragraphs" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying the noun "paragraphs". It indicates an indefinite but moderate number of paragraphs within a text. Ludwig AI affirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

15%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "several paragraphs" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to an unspecified number of paragraphs in a text. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across diverse fields, including news, academia, and science. While it lacks the precision of a specific number, it provides a useful indication of length or scope. For stylistic variation, consider alternatives such as "a few paragraphs" or "multiple paragraphs". When writing, be mindful of overusing vague quantifiers and maintain a balance between generality and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a number of paragraphs

Emphasizes the quantity of paragraphs without specifying an exact amount.

multiple paragraphs

Highlights that there's more than one paragraph, focusing on plurality.

a few paragraphs

Indicates a smaller quantity of paragraphs compared to "several".

various paragraphs

Suggests that the paragraphs are different or cover different topics.

numerous paragraphs

Emphasizes a large quantity of paragraphs.

certain paragraphs

Specifies that only some paragraphs are being referred to.

a section of paragraphs

Groups the paragraphs as a unit within a larger document.

some paragraphs

A general indication of more than one paragraph, without emphasis on quantity.

portions of text

Refers to paragraphs as parts of a larger body of text.

segments of the document

Presents paragraphs as distinct parts of a larger document.

FAQs

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

You can use "several paragraphs" to indicate a moderate quantity of paragraphs, for example: "The author dedicates "a number of paragraphs" to explaining the methodology."

What are some alternatives to using "several paragraphs"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a few paragraphs", "multiple paragraphs", or "numerous paragraphs".

Is it more precise to say "several paragraphs" or "a few paragraphs"?

"Several paragraphs" implies a slightly larger quantity than "a few paragraphs". The best choice depends on the specific number you want to convey.

Can "several paragraphs" refer to a specific number of paragraphs?

While "several paragraphs" doesn't denote a precise number, it generally suggests more than two or three. For a specific count, it's better to state the exact number, like "four paragraphs".