some thousands

USAGE SUMMARY

"some thousands" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a large, but unspecified, number. For example: - There were some thousands of people at the concert last night. - They spent some thousands of dollars on the renovation. - The company employs some thousands of workers worldwide.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Some thousands of books — that is it.

The New Yorker

You know it is some thousands of dollars?" Dr. Na-garaj said.

The New Yorker

Sure, they may save some thousands of dollars a year in the short run.

The New York Times

Some thousands of observers have flooded into Georgia for Monday's poll.

The Guardian

The money it earned — some thousands of dollars — mostly went to the contributors, who got a hundred dollars each.

The New Yorker

Basically, the process of brickmaking has not changed since the first fired bricks were produced some thousands of years ago.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Within days the police revealed that some thousands of phones had been targeted by, or on behalf of, News of the World, and the scandal mushroomed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The female works herself into wet sand at the waterline, lays a cluster of some thousands of eggs, moves a short distance up, and lays more.

The New Yorker

TOURISM officials in Turkey like to make the claim that winemaking was invented in their country, some thousands of years ago.

The New York Times - Travel

To some thousands of very important people the company sent a personal representative to explain the increase and to apologize for it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Spaniards present--some thousands--were mostly gypsies and true believers in music and miracles.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For heightened clarity, follow "some thousands" with a specific unit or noun, such as "some thousands of dollars", "some thousands of people", or "some thousands of years".

Common error

Avoid using "some thousands" when you have a precise number. Replace it with the exact figure or a more appropriate approximation like "around 3,000" or "nearly 4,000".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some thousands" functions as a quantifier, indicating an approximate number in the thousands range. As noted by Ludwig, it is considered a correct and usable phrase in English. It generally expresses an estimated amount without needing to be precise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "some thousands" is a versatile quantifier used to denote an approximate quantity within the thousands range. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s grammatically sound and widely accepted across various domains, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When writing, using alternatives such as "several thousand" or "thousands of" can help fine-tune your intended level of precision. It is important to avoid using "some thousands" when a precise number is available, as it diminishes the clarity and accuracy of the statement. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and correctly employ "some thousands" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several thousand

Replaces "some" with a more specific quantifier while maintaining the approximate quantity.

a few thousand

Indicates a slightly smaller quantity than "some thousands", suggesting a more limited number.

thousands of

Emphasizes the quantity in the thousands without specifying the exact number.

approximately three thousand

Provides a more precise estimate, narrowing the range of the quantity.

in the thousands

Highlights that the quantity is within the thousands range, without further specificity.

around two thousand

Offers a rough estimate, implying the quantity is close to two thousand.

a considerable number

Indicates a significant but unspecified quantity, broader than "some thousands".

a multitude of

Suggests a large and indefinite number, less precise than "some thousands".

numerous instances

Focuses on the frequency of occurrences rather than a specific numerical quantity.

a substantial amount

Implies a large quantity in terms of volume or value, not necessarily numerical count.

FAQs

How can I use "some thousands" in a sentence?

Use "some thousands" to indicate a quantity that is greater than a few, but not precisely specified. For example, "Some thousands of people attended the event", or "The project cost "some thousands of dollars"".

What phrases are similar to "some thousands"?

Alternatives to "some thousands" include "several thousand", "a few thousand", or "thousands of", depending on the specific level of imprecision you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "some thousands" in formal writing?

Yes, "some thousands" can be appropriate in formal writing when an exact number is either unknown or not essential to the context. However, consider whether a more precise estimate would be more suitable. Alternatively you can use phrases as "several thousand".

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

"Some thousands" indicates a quantity within the range of 2,000 to 9,000, while "tens of thousands" refers to a quantity between 20,000 and 90,000. The latter indicates a significantly larger number.