several universities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several universities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to more than two but not many universities, often in contexts discussing education, research, or collaborations. Example: "The study was conducted across several universities to gather diverse data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Several universities followed suit.

The New York Times

The city has several universities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There were small demonstrations at several universities.

The New York Times

He founded several universities of agriculture.

The Guardian

Several hundred firms & several universities, were demonstrating various electronic devices.

The New Yorker

Several universities have recently revised their watch policy.

The Guardian

He also sponsored fellowships and other programs at several universities.

The New York Times

Several universities have already replied to the FOI requests.

The Guardian

Several universities started such courses, and some still offer them.

The New York Times

Sackler endowed medical and scientific research at several universities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He taught at several universities, including U.C.L.A. and Oregon State.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "several universities", ensure the context provides some indication of their geographical location or academic focus to give the reader a clearer picture.

Common error

Avoid using "several universities" when you are actually referring to a large number of institutions; in such cases, phrases like "many universities" or "numerous universities" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several universities" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig confirms this usage, showcasing various examples where the phrase refers to multiple academic institutions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "several universities" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to refer to more than two, but not many, academic institutions. Ludwig's analysis confirms that its primary function is as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object within a sentence. The phrase is versatile, appearing in neutral to formal contexts, with frequent usage in News & Media and Science publications. Given the assessment from Ludwig, it's a reliable term for describing a limited number of universities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few universities

Replaces "several" with "a few", indicating a smaller, less specific number.

various universities

Substitutes "several" with "various", suggesting a diverse range of universities.

multiple universities

Replaces "several" with "multiple", emphasizing the presence of more than one university.

a number of universities

Uses "a number of" instead of "several", offering a slightly more formal tone.

some universities

Replaces "several" with "some", indicating an unspecified quantity of universities.

certain universities

Uses "certain" instead of "several", implying specific but unnamed universities.

numerous universities

Substitutes "several" with "numerous", suggesting a large quantity of universities.

a selection of universities

Replaces "several" with "a selection of", implying a curated or specific set of universities.

many universities

Substitutes "several" with "many", indicating a larger, less precise number.

different universities

Uses "different" instead of "several", emphasizing the variety among the universities.

FAQs

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

Use "several universities" to refer to more than two, but not a large number of universities. For example, "Several universities have adopted similar policies."

What's the difference between "several universities" and "numerous universities"?

"Several universities" implies a smaller, less specific number, while "numerous universities" suggests a larger quantity.

Which is correct, "several university" or "several universities"?

"Several universities" is correct. The plural form "universities" is needed because "several" indicates more than one.

What can I say instead of "several universities"?

You can use alternatives like "a few universities", "various universities", or "multiple universities" depending on the context.