several sheets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several sheets" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to refer to a few pieces of paper or paper products. Example: The teacher handed out several sheets of graph paper for the students to use in their math class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several sheets per ornament.

The New York Times

It consists of several sheets of paper haphazardly attached together.

The New York Times

Several sheets fly into the air, one of which appears to be covered with Arabic script.

The Guardian

It contained several sheets of paper, with writing on both sides.

The New Yorker

Several sheets fly into the air, one of which looks to be covered with Arabic script.

The Guardian

I notice that he has several sheets of pre-typed notes from his office.

The Guardian

He gave me several sheets of paper on which his essay was scribbled and laboriously revised.

Princeton University

The file, which had been a thick, staple-bound stack of paper, had been reduced to several sheets.

The New Yorker

McGraw added some puzzles and stuck the whole lot down with sticky tape on to several sheets of A3 paper.

The Guardian

Ms. Garcia said she was nervous, because her damaged roof still needed several sheets of metal to be fully repaired.

The New York Times

Warm-Up | Hang several sheets of poster paper around the room, and place a set of markers beside each poster.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or activity involving layering, specify the type of "sheets" (e.g., paper, metal, plastic) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "several sheets" when you actually mean a specific, larger number of sheets; "several" implies a small, indefinite amount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several sheets" functions as a determiner + noun phrase, where "several" modifies the noun "sheets", indicating an indefinite quantity greater than two. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

25%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "several sheets" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote a small, unspecified quantity of flat materials, such as paper or metal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Primarily found in news, wiki, and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communication scenarios. When using this phrase, ensure you're indicating a small, indefinite amount and specify the material type for greater clarity. While alternatives like "a few sheets" or "some sheets" exist, the choice depends on the specific context and desired level of precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some sheets

More general and less specific about the number of sheets.

a few sheets

Indicates a smaller quantity than the original phrase.

a handful of sheets

Indicates an approximate, small number of sheets.

a number of pages

Focuses on individual pages rather than a collective mass of material.

a stack of sheets

Emphasizes the organized grouping of sheets.

a set of pages

Suggests a more organized or related group of sheets.

multiple layers

Emphasizes the stacked nature of the material, rather than the material itself.

several layers

Focuses on the layered aspect rather than the sheet material.

various pieces of paper

Highlights the individual nature of the items.

a quantity of sheets

More formal and less common way to describe an amount of sheets.

FAQs

How is "several sheets" used in a sentence?

The phrase "several sheets" is used to indicate an unspecified small number of flat materials, like "paper", "metal", or "plastic". For example, "I needed several sheets of paper to complete the drawing."

What's a synonym for "several sheets"?

Alternatives include "a few sheets", "some sheets", or "a number of pages". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "severals sheets"?

No, the correct form is "several sheets". "Several" is already plural, so adding an "s" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "several sheets" and "many sheets"?

"Several sheets" indicates a smaller, less defined quantity than "many sheets". "Several" suggests a handful, while "many" implies a larger, more significant number.