some very

USAGE SUMMARY

"some very" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to emphasize the adjective or adverb that follows it. For example, "The report was some very interesting reading."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some very silly things.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some very bad people".

The New York Times

Some very young.

The Guardian - Music

Some very old-fashioned gin-measuring jugs.

Independent

Some very nice people donated auction prizes".

Independent

THATCHER: I had some very strange ambitions.

The New Yorker

We've seen some very important successes".

The Guardian

That includes some very talented guys.

The New York Times - Sports

There are some very good teams.

The New York Times

Jesus keeps some very odd company.

Independent

We had some very exciting people, though.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "some very" to add emphasis to an adjective or adverb, but be mindful of overusing it, as excessive emphasis can weaken your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "some very" in every sentence; vary your sentence structure and vocabulary to maintain reader engagement and prevent your writing from sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some very" functions as an intensifier, modifying adjectives and adverbs to amplify their meaning. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig include phrases like "some very good teams" and "some very exciting people."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "some very" is a grammatically sound phrase used to intensify adjectives and adverbs, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, adding emphasis to descriptions. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid weakening your writing through overuse. Alternatives such as "quite", "really", or "extremely" can provide similar emphasis with slightly different nuances. Remember to consider your audience and the desired level of formality when deciding whether to include "some very" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very

Omitting "some" reduces the emphasis slightly, making the phrase more straightforward.

quite

This alternative offers a shorter, more direct way to express a similar degree of intensity.

really

Similar to "quite", "really" simplifies the emphasis but maintains a comparable level of intensity.

extremely

This word conveys a higher degree of intensity and formality compared to "some very".

incredibly

Similar in intensity to 'extremely' but may carry a slightly more informal tone.

exceptionally

This alternative is stronger and more formal, suggesting a deviation from the norm.

especially

Highlights a particular instance or aspect as being prominent.

particularly

Implies a more selective emphasis on a specific aspect or quality.

remarkably

This suggests something noticeable or striking in its degree.

noticeably

Suggests that the quality or characteristic is easily observed or detected.

FAQs

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

The phrase "some very" is used to emphasize the adjective that follows. For example, you could say, "That was "some very kind advice"" or "They are "some very talented musicians"."

What phrases can I use instead of "some very"?

Alternatives to "some very" include "quite", "really", or "extremely", depending on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to include "some" before "very"?

No, it's not always necessary. Omitting "some" can make the phrase slightly less emphatic but still grammatically correct. The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to achieve. Saying "very important" reduces the emphasis.

What is the difference between "some very" and "very"?

"Some very" adds a degree of emphasis that "very" alone does not. "Some very" is typically used when you want to strongly highlight the quality being described.