What is several? Pronunciation and usage in English

several means . Learn how to pronounce and use several through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of several

severaldeterminer

/ˈsɛv(ə)rəl/
Definition & pronunciation of several

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "several" in English. It can be tricky for learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈsev.ər.əl/ (stress on the first syllable)

Let's break that down further:

  • “sev”: Sounds like "sev" as in "seven". It's a short, quick syllable.
  • “er”: Pronounced like "er" as in "her."
  • “əl”: This is a schwa sound – a very short, weak “uh” sound. Think of it as almost disappearing.

Putting it together: “Sev-er-uh-l”

Here’s a slightly more detailed breakdown of the sounds:

  • "sev": /sev/ (like "seven")
  • "er": /ər/ (a short "er" sound, similar to the "er" in "her")
  • "əl": /əl/ (a schwa sound, /ə/) – this is often reduced and almost silent.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Don't overemphasize the "er": It's not a long "er" sound like in "term." It's a short "er."
  • The schwa sound is key: That “əl” should be a very relaxed, almost swallowed “uh” sound. Many native speakers even shorten it to just a single, quick “uh”.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it! You can easily find audio pronunciations on:
    • Google Translate: Type "several" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
    • Merriam-Webster Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/several (look for the audio pronunciation)
    • YouTube: Search YouTube for “how to pronounce several” – you’ll find many videos.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using "several"?

Usage and examples with the word several in English

Let's break down how to use the word "several" in English. It's a versatile word that generally means "more than two but not many." Here's a detailed explanation with examples:

1. Basic Meaning & Usage:

  • General Meaning: "Several" indicates a quantity that falls between "a few" and "many." It suggests a moderate number – usually three or more, but often less than ten.
  • Common Usage: It's used to describe a collection of things, people, or ideas.

2. Examples:

  • "I have several books on my shelf." (More than two, but not a huge stack – implies a reasonable collection.)
  • "Several students volunteered for the project." (More than a couple, but not the entire class.)
  • "There were several reasons for the delay." (Multiple causes for the delay, but not a long, complicated list.)
  • "Several people attended the meeting." (More than two, likely a group of 3-7 or so.)
  • "She has several siblings." (More than two siblings.)

3. Grammatical Usage – As an Adjective:

  • "Several" acts as an adjective, modifying a noun. It tells how many of something there are.

    • Incorrect: "I have a several books."
    • Correct: "I have several books."

4. Using "Several" with Other Quantifiers:

  • "A few several" is incorrect. You don't need "a few" and "several" together. You’d simply use "several."

  • “Several of” is a common construction:

    • "Several of my friends are coming to the party." (Highlights a subset of friends.)
    • "Several of the employees were promoted." (Highlights some of the employees.)

5. Alternatives to "Several":

Depending on the context, you might use these words instead:

  • A few: (Indicates a smaller number – two or three)
  • Many: (Indicates a large number)
  • Numerous: (Similar to many, but often used in more formal writing)
  • Quite a few: (A more informal way to say “a lot”)
  • Some: (Can be used when you don’t want to be precise about the number – it simply means "at least one")

6. Key Differences to Remember:

Word Meaning Quantity Range Formality
Few Not many 2-3 Neutral
Several More than two, but not many 3-9 (typically) Neutral
Many A large number 10+ Neutral

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., casual conversation, formal essay, email?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word several

Practice with vocabulary several

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After ____________ rounds of negotiations, the two companies finally reached a mutually beneficial agreement.
  2. I only need ____________ minutes to finalize the report before the deadline.
  3. The research team presented their findings at the conference, highlighting ____________ key challenges in sustainable energy.
  4. ____________ employee is required to complete the annual compliance training by the end of the month.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The project manager had to consult ____________ experts to resolve the complex technical issue. A) a single B) several C) just one D) an isolated

  2. During the city-wide power outage, ____________ districts experienced disruptions for over twelve hours. A) countless B) numerous C) several D) many

  3. Could you please bring me ____________ those files from the top shelf? A) a couple of B) all of C) each of D) every one of

  4. To improve customer satisfaction, we implemented ____________ new policies based on feedback. A) a few B) an exclusive C) several D) an individual

  5. ____________ participants found the workshop highly informative and engaging. A) Every B) Each C) Most D) A single

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite the sentence to use "several": Original: There were a good number of proposals submitted for the grant.

  2. Rewrite the sentence to use "several": Original: The committee discussed the matter on more than two occasions.

  3. Rewrite the sentence without using "several" or related forms, choosing a suitable replacement word: Original: A large quantity of data needs to be analyzed before making a decision.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. several
  2. a few
  3. several
  4. Every

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) several
  2. B) numerous, C) several, D) many
  3. A) a couple of
  4. A) a few, C) several
  5. C) Most

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Several proposals were submitted for the grant.
  2. The committee discussed the matter on several occasions.
  3. Extensive data needs to be analyzed before making a decision.

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