several parents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several parents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a group of more than two parents, typically in discussions about family, education, or community matters. Example: "Several parents attended the school meeting to discuss the new curriculum changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several parents' groups want vouchers.

The Economist

Several parents indicated otherwise.

The New York Times

Several parents in Chattanooga agreed.

The New York Times - Sports

Several parents have filed kidnapping complaints.

The New York Times

Several parents tell a different story.

The New York Times

Ms. Cavallo and several parents carried out a morning ritual.

The New York Times

Several parents, however, said they had found the consultants helpful.

The New York Times

Several parents lingered after, saying they loved yard.

The New Yorker

Nevertheless, several parents were outraged at the switch-up.

The Washington Post

Several parents wiped away tears as they watched.

The Washington Post

It was a wake-up call for several parents.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about parents, specify the exact number if it's known and relevant; otherwise, "several parents" is suitable for indicating a non-specific quantity greater than two. For example: "While 30% of the people prefer the color red, several parents opted for blue."

Common error

Using "several parents" repeatedly in close proximity can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a number of parents" or by specifying the group of parents (e.g., "parents of kindergarteners").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several parents" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It is used to refer to an unspecified number of parents, typically more than two. Ludwig AI supports this with numerous examples where the phrase is used in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "several parents" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase commonly used to denote an unspecified number of parents exceeding two. Ludwig AI confirms that it functions as a noun phrase with a neutral register. It is frequently employed in news reporting and is also found in scientific and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "a few parents" or "a number of parents" exist, "several parents" remains a reliable and widely understood choice for referring to multiple parents in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few parents

This alternative is less formal and indicates a smaller number of parents compared to the original phrase.

some parents

This alternative is a general term indicating an unspecified number of parents, similar in meaning but less precise.

a number of parents

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes that there are multiple parents involved.

multiple parents

This alternative stresses the plurality of parents involved, suitable for more formal contexts.

various parents

This alternative highlights the diversity among the parents, implying different backgrounds or opinions.

certain parents

This alternative suggests that the parents are known or have been identified, adding a degree of specificity.

a group of parents

This alternative emphasizes the collective nature of the parents, portraying them as a unified body.

a few concerned parents

This alternative specifies the parents' emotional state, adding a layer of concern or worry to the group.

a selection of parents

This alternative implies that the parents were chosen or represent a subset of a larger group.

certain families

Shifts focus slightly from individual parents to families, maintaining the idea of multiple parental units involved.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "several parents"?

You can use alternatives like "a few parents", "some parents", or "a number of parents" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it more accurate to say "several parents" or "many parents"?

"Several parents" implies a smaller, more specific group than "many parents". Use "several" when you want to suggest a limited quantity, whereas "many" suggests a larger, less defined group.

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

You can use "several parents" as the subject of a sentence: "Several parents volunteered to help with the school fundraiser." Or within a clause: "The teacher listened to the concerns of "several parents".".

When is it appropriate to use "several parents" in formal writing?

It's generally acceptable to use "several parents" in formal writing, especially when a precise number isn't necessary or known. However, in highly formal contexts, using "a number of parents" might be preferred.