several thousand

USAGE SUMMARY

'several thousand' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to indicate a large but unspecified number. For example, "The march drew several thousand people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Several thousand here.

The New York Times

Several thousand people drowned.

Yale University

RumorSearch attracted several thousand members.

The New York Times

Several thousand fans were, too.

The New York Times - Sports

It has several thousand members.

The Economist

Several thousand Karamajong have joined.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Several hundred were arrested.

The New York Times

Several million people attend.

The New York Times

Several hundred inscriptions exist.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Several hundred spectators chanted: "Army!

The New York Times - Sports

Several hundred thousand of them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "several thousand" when you want to indicate a quantity larger than a few, but without needing to specify a precise number. It suggests a moderate number within the thousands range.

Common error

Avoid using "several thousand" when a more precise number is known. If you have the exact figure, it's better to use that instead of an approximation. For instance, instead of saying "several thousand people attended", specify the actual attendance if it's available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several thousand" functions as a quantifier, specifically an adjective phrase modifying a noun. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates an approximate quantity greater than a few thousand but less than tens of thousands. It helps to estimate large, but not extremely large, numbers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "several thousand" is a versatile quantifier used to indicate a moderate quantity in the thousands. It is grammatically sound and widely accepted, as validated by Ludwig AI, appearing frequently in news, academic, and scientific sources. While precise numbers are preferable when available, "several thousand" offers a useful alternative when an estimate suffices. When writing, remember that similar phrases include "thousands of" and "a few thousand", and that overstating quantities should be avoided for accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thousands of

Emphasizes the plurality and unspecified nature of the number, similar to "several thousand" but without the 'several' to indicate a moderate amount.

a few thousand

Indicates a smaller quantity within the thousands range, implying a relatively modest number.

approximately three thousand

Provides a more specific estimate while still maintaining a degree of approximation.

in the thousands

Focuses on the range of the number, highlighting that it falls within the thousands category without specifying the exact quantity.

thousands upon thousands

Emphasizes a large quantity within the thousands range, suggesting a considerable number.

a good few thousand

Suggests a significant quantity, implying that the number is more than just a minimal amount.

upwards of two thousand

Indicates a number greater than or equal to two thousand, providing a lower bound estimate.

two to three thousand

Gives a narrow range estimate, indicating a more precise but still approximate quantity.

many thousands of

Similar to "thousands of" but may imply a slightly larger or more significant quantity.

a number of thousands

Highlights the presence of multiple thousands, emphasizing that the number is not just a single thousand.

FAQs

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

You can use "several thousand" to describe a quantity that is more than a few thousand but less than tens of thousands. For example, "The charity received several thousand donations after the appeal".

What are some alternatives to "several thousand"?

Alternatives include "thousands of", "a few thousand", or "approximately three thousand" depending on the desired level of precision.

Is it appropriate to use "several thousand" in formal writing?

Yes, "several thousand" is appropriate in formal writing when you want to indicate a quantity in the thousands without being overly specific. It strikes a balance between precision and generality.

What's the difference between "several thousand" and "tens of thousands"?

"Several thousand" indicates a quantity between roughly 3,000 and 9,000, whereas "tens of thousands" refers to a quantity between 10,000 and 99,000. The key difference lies in the magnitude of the number being described.