several thousands

USAGE SUMMARY

"several thousands" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a large, but indefinite amount of something. For example, "The charity was able to collect several thousands of dollars in donations last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several thousands jobs are threatened, he said.

The New York Times

She also has several thousands pounds of student loans.

Independent

Bulgaria's reserves are several thousands of metres deep.

The Guardian

"The average claim was several thousands of pounds a month.

The Guardian

Salaries vary according to rank and region but most amount to only several thousands of renminbi.

The New York Times

Several thousands of them have already made the perilous journey out, by boat toward Italy.

The New York Times

In response, several thousands of Georgians joined churchmen to stage a large counter-demonstration.

The Economist

The distance traversed may be a few miles or several thousands of miles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So, they ensured they would have several thousands of carrots at the ready.

The Guardian - Opinion

But China's cultural context goes back several thousands of years.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

But if several thousands use it, then it gets hard.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "several thousands" when you want to indicate a quantity in the thousands without being precise. It suggests a notable but unspecified number greater than two thousand.

Common error

Avoid using "several thousand" when you need to be precise about a number. Instead, provide the specific figure or use a more appropriate quantifier like "approximately three thousand."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several thousands" functions as a quantifier, indicating an indefinite but substantial quantity. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts to express approximate amounts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "several thousands" is a commonly used phrase to indicate a large, unspecified number in the thousands. Ludwig's examples reveal its prevalence in both News & Media and Science, with some representation in Formal & Business contexts as well. It serves to provide a sense of scale without requiring precise figures. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase. When precision is needed, consider using more specific numbers or alternative quantifiers like "thousands of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Several thousand

Omitting the 's' on thousand makes it function as an adjective.

Thousands of

This is a more general way to indicate a quantity in the thousands.

A few thousand

This implies a smaller quantity within the thousands range.

Many thousands

Emphasizes a larger quantity within the thousands range.

Numerous thousands

Similar to "many thousands", suggesting a large quantity.

Countless thousands

Indicates a very large, indefinite number in the thousands.

Multiple thousands

Highlights the presence of more than one group of thousands.

About three thousand

This alternative uses a specific approximate number instead of 'several'.

Approximately four thousand

Uses a different approximation.

Around five thousand

Another numerical alternative.

FAQs

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

"Several thousands" is used to indicate a large, unspecified quantity in the thousands. For example, "The company has several thousands of employees worldwide."

What can I say instead of "several thousands"?

You can use alternatives like "thousands of", "a few thousand", or "many thousands" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "several thousand" or "several thousands"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Several thousand" typically acts as an adjective, while "several thousands" functions as a noun phrase. For example: "Several thousand people attended" versus "Several thousands of people attended".

Is "several thousands" a precise number?

No, "several thousands" is not a precise number. It indicates an approximate quantity, suggesting more than two thousand but without specifying the exact amount.