some of

USAGE SUMMARY

'some of' is a perfectly valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a subset of a group or quantity. For example, "Some of the students were late for class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some of those id?

The New York Times

Some of them have.

Independent

Some of it won't.

The New York Times

Some of it's public.

The New Yorker

Some of it's private.

The New Yorker

Mentions some of them.

The New Yorker

"Some of us cried.

The New York Times - Sports

Some of them, maybe.

Independent

Perhaps some of both.

The Economist

"Some of 'em twice".

The New Yorker

Some of whom?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "some of", ensure the context clearly identifies the larger group being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "Some of the problems remain," specify "Some of the problems with the new system remain."

Common error

Avoid using "some of" with uncountable nouns when "some" is sufficient. For instance, prefer "some advice" over "some of the advice" unless you are specifically referring to a defined subset of advice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some of" functions as a partitive, indicating a portion or subset of a larger whole. It modifies a noun phrase, specifying that only a certain number or amount is being referred to. Ludwig shows many examples from reliable sources using this structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academic

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "some of" is a common partitive phrase used to indicate a portion of a larger group or quantity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees frequent use in writing. It's essential to ensure clarity by specifying the group being referenced and to avoid overuse with uncountable nouns where "some" suffices. Alternatives include "a portion of" or "part of", depending on the desired emphasis. Ludwig provides many examples from reliable sources to exemplify the function and purpose of "some of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

part of

Indicates a fraction or component, lacking the vagueness that "some of" has.

a portion of

Emphasizes a specific part or amount, differing from "some of" by highlighting the defined quantity.

portions of

Similar to 'a portion of' but can refer to non-countable things.

a few of

Suggests a small quantity, adding specificity compared to the general "some of".

several of

Implies more than "a few", increasing the perceived quantity from "some of".

a number of

Indicates an unspecified quantity, differing from "some of" with a more formal tone.

certain of

Highlights specific members or items, adding a layer of identification that "some of" lacks.

a selection of

Indicates a deliberate choice from a larger group, introducing the element of selection absent in "some of".

elements of

Refers to components within a complex system, emphasizing parts rather than a group.

a percentage of

Specifies an exact proportion, replacing the ambiguity of "some of" with a quantifiable measure.

FAQs

How do I use "some of" in a sentence?

Use "some of" to indicate a portion of a group or quantity. For example, "Some of the students were late" or "Some of the money was missing".

What are some alternatives to "some of"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a portion of", "part of", or "a few of" to replace "some of".

Is it correct to say "some of the"?

Yes, it is correct to say "some of the" when you are referring to a specific group or quantity. For example, "Some of the books are missing". Omitting "the" changes the meaning or is grammatically incorrect in many cases.

When should I use "some" instead of "some of"?

Use "some" before uncountable nouns or when referring to a general quantity without specifying a particular group. For instance, use "some help" instead of "some of help", but use "some of the help" when referring to a specific source of help.