very some

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very some" is not correct and usable in written English.
It does not convey a clear meaning and is not a standard expression in English. Example: "I have very some ideas for the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"He was very — some people use the word imperious," Mr. Karraker said.

The New York Times - Arts

This helps explain the measured response from Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, who has been very (some think too) careful not to point fingers until all the facts are on the table.

The Economist

Recently Haghi et al. [4] published a paper which stated that we should 'be careful on partial metric fixed point results' along with very some results therein.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

True, we might not have nice bonuses or many of the other benefits that more commercially employed citizens have, but we may have very some real - if not so obvious - fringe benefits.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Trains speed at the driver's whim: some very slow, some very fast.

The New York Times

Some are very bad; some are beautiful".

The New York Times

"Some are very creative, some are more concise.

The Guardian

"Some were very good, some were not so good".

The New York Times

"Some are very simple; some are profound".

Science Magazine

Some get very aggressive, some get savage.

BBC

Some do very well, some don't do very well.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "very some" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more standard alternatives like "quite a few" or "a considerable number".

Common error

Don't combine "very" directly with indefinite quantifiers like "some". "Very" typically modifies adjectives or adverbs, not quantifiers. Instead of "very some", use phrases that accurately describe the quantity you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very some" primarily functions as an attempted quantifier, aiming to specify an amount. However, it's grammatically unconventional and not recognized in standard English. Ludwig indicates that it is not correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very some" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig confirms this assessment. While it may appear in some contexts, its usage is infrequent and primarily confined to informal settings or non-standard writing. More appropriate alternatives, such as "quite a few" or "a considerable number", should be used to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. Despite its appearance in a few sources like The New York Times and The Economist, its lack of grammatical validity makes it unsuitable for formal communication. Using standard alternatives enhances the precision and credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite a few

Indicates a considerable number or amount, replacing the unidiomatic "very some" with a common expression.

a considerable number

Expresses a significant quantity, offering a more formal and precise alternative.

a significant amount

Emphasizes the importance or size of the quantity, suitable for contexts where the amount matters.

a good deal

Suggests a substantial quantity or extent, providing a more informal alternative.

a fair amount

Indicates a reasonable or moderate quantity, suitable for neutral contexts.

a certain quantity

Highlights the presence of a specific, though unspecified, quantity.

several

Implies more than two but not a large number, offering a concise alternative.

a handful of

Indicates a small quantity that can be held in one hand, suitable for countable items.

a number of

Expresses an unspecified quantity, often used for countable items or instances.

various

Highlights the diversity of the items or aspects, suitable when focusing on variety rather than quantity.

FAQs

How to avoid using "very some" in a sentence?

Replace "very some" with more appropriate phrases depending on the context. Options include "quite a few", "a considerable number", or "several".

What's wrong with using "very some"?

The phrase "very some" is not standard English and is considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to use clearer alternatives that accurately convey the intended meaning.

Is there a situation where "very some" is acceptable?

While you might encounter it in informal speech or older texts, "very some" is generally not acceptable in formal or professional writing. Always opt for clearer and more widely accepted alternatives.

Which is correct: "very some" or "quite a few"?

"Quite a few" is the correct and idiomatic choice. "Very some" is not recognized as standard English and should be avoided.