several were gone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several were gone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that multiple items or people are no longer present or available. Example: "When I arrived at the party, I noticed that several were gone, leaving only a few guests behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Reference

Social Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dozens of Broadway producers have hit the shuttle to Washington in recent weeks, and several are going this weekend for "Company," which completes its run tomorrow.

The New York Times

In Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where several are going in, some at first surmised that the construction was for the typical fare — an uneven sidewalk, a utility intervention, maybe a bench, at best.

The New York Times

But several are going beyond that, responding to demands that they spurn outside assistance from independent groups or cease accepting donations from employees of specific companies, among other strictures.

The Washington Post

When he awoke, his car, cellphone, laptop and several bags were gone.

Huffington Post

Several alarms were going off, seemingly ignored.

The Guardian

"I think several things were going on," she says.

The Guardian

Toward the end of my final year in the Newark initiative, Amos explained that he and several students were going to attend another school.

Huffington Post

Patients were told that several questionnaires were going to be given, and were asked to notify the staff in case that any of them was given twice.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Even with Constellation, several thousand jobs were going to be lost.

The New York Times - Science

The record started to evolve and it seemed like several different conversations were going on.

Huffington Post

If the Spurs opt for a youth movement, Thomas and several others could be gone.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "several were gone" to succinctly convey that multiple items or people are absent. The phrase works well in descriptive narratives and reports where a specific count isn't necessary but the absence of more than a few is notable.

Common error

Avoid using "several were gone" when only one or two items or people are missing; "a few were gone" or "some were gone" might be more appropriate. "Several" implies more than a couple, so ensure your word choice accurately reflects the quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several were gone" functions as a descriptive statement indicating that a number of entities are no longer present. According to Ludwig AI, this expression is grammatically sound and usable in English. Its purpose is to report or acknowledge an absence.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "several were gone" is a grammatically correct and comprehensible way to express that multiple entities are no longer present. Although Ludwig AI confirms its usability, no exact examples were found in the provided data to assess usage frequency or context. This phrase is appropriate for a wide range of registers, and functions as a simple declarative statement about a state of absence, but remember that "several" implies more than a couple and less than many. Always use it consistently!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few had left

Focuses on the action of leaving rather than the state of being gone, implying a departure.

many were missing

Emphasizes the state of being missing, suggesting a possible loss or unaccounted absence.

some had disappeared

Implies a sudden and mysterious absence.

a number were absent

Formally indicates that several individuals were not present.

various ones were no longer there

States the absence of several items or persons in a less direct manner.

multiple individuals had departed

A more formal and emphatic way of stating that several people had left.

numerous items were misplaced

Highlights that items could not be found, suggests a temporary disappearance or loss of track.

quite a few had vanished

Implies a complete and mysterious disappearance of a noteworthy amount of people or items.

several had cleared out

Suggests that a group left a certain location removing their items or belongings in the process.

several were extracted

Focuses on removal by an outside agent or force.

FAQs

How can I use "several were gone" in a sentence?

You can use "several were gone" to indicate that multiple items or people are no longer present. For example, "When I returned to the classroom, I noticed "several were gone", leaving only a few students behind".

What can I say instead of "several were gone"?

You can use alternatives like "a few had left", "many were missing", or "some had disappeared" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "several has gone" instead of "several were gone"?

No, "several has gone" is grammatically incorrect. "Several" is plural, so it requires the plural verb form "were". The correct phrase is ""several were gone"".

What is the difference between "several were gone" and "a few were gone"?

"Several were gone" implies a larger quantity than "a few were gone". "Several" suggests more than just a couple, while "a few" indicates a smaller number, typically two or three.