some waxwings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "some waxwings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a non-specific quantity of waxwing birds in a general context. Example: "While walking in the park, I spotted some waxwings perched on a tree branch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Some waxwings.

The New York Times

I want to see some waxwings!

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In some years, large numbers of Bohemian waxwings irrupt well beyond their normal winter range in search of the fruit that makes up most of their diet.

Wikipedia

Although the Bohemian waxwing's range overlaps those of the cedar and Japanese waxwings, it is easily distinguished from them by size and plumage differences.

Wikipedia

"Waxwings!" they hollered.

The New York Times

"Waxwings," he said.

The New Yorker

"Cedar Waxwings," I say.

The New York Times

His new novel, Waxwings, comes out next year.

The Guardian

(Social drinking a common failing of waxwings).

The New Yorker

These birds flock to the UK from Scandinavia in some years, and this winter there was an influx with more than 7,000 spotted in almost 1,000 gardens, making it the most popular winter for waxwings in more than 30 years.

The Guardian

He was quite right: waxwings really are beautiful.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "some waxwings" when you want to indicate an indefinite, small quantity of waxwing birds without specifying an exact number. It's suitable for general descriptions or casual observations.

Common error

While "some waxwings" is grammatically sound, avoid using it in scientific papers or formal reports where more precise language like "a small number of waxwings" or a specific count would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "some waxwings" functions as a noun phrase, where "some" acts as a determiner indicating an unspecified quantity of the noun "waxwings". Ludwig AI examples show its usage in describing observations of these birds.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "some waxwings" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an unspecified, small quantity of waxwing birds. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While its frequency is rare, it appears most commonly in news articles and general descriptions. For more formal contexts, consider using more precise language. Ludwig's analysis also suggests the related phrases offer alternative ways to describe quantities of waxwings with varying degrees of specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a few waxwings

Specifies a small number of waxwings, indicating a quantity slightly more precise than "some".

several waxwings

Indicates more than two waxwings but not a large amount, suggesting a moderate quantity.

a group of waxwings

Emphasizes the birds as a collective, focusing on their social behavior.

a flock of waxwings

Specifically refers to waxwings in flight or gathered together, highlighting their movement and unity.

a handful of waxwings

Suggests a small, easily managed number of waxwings, implying a close observation.

various waxwings

Implies a diverse collection of waxwings, possibly of different species or ages.

a number of waxwings

Indicates an unspecified quantity of waxwings, similar to "some" but slightly more formal.

a scattering of waxwings

Suggests a dispersed group of waxwings, highlighting their distribution in an area.

a couple of waxwings

Refers to two waxwings, providing a specific and limited quantity.

certain waxwings

Refers to specific waxwings, implying prior knowledge or identification.

FAQs

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

You can use "some waxwings" to refer to an unspecified number of waxwing birds. For example: "I saw "some waxwings" feeding on berries in the garden."

What are some alternatives to saying "some waxwings"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a few waxwings", "several waxwings", or "a small flock of waxwings".

Is it more appropriate to say "some waxwings" or "a couple of waxwings"?

"A couple of waxwings" implies exactly two birds, while ""some waxwings"" indicates an unspecified, small number greater than one. Choose the phrase that best reflects the actual quantity you observed.

When is it better to use "a few waxwings" instead of "some waxwings"?

"A few waxwings" emphasizes the limited quantity slightly more strongly than ""some waxwings"". Use "a few" when you want to highlight the scarcity or smallness of the group.