Comments on: Interpretation of “Several”

By: L'rece Morgillo

L'rece Morgillo — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 03:38:32 +0000

My most disliked word because of it’s meaning.
Who the hell made up the meaning? This is a common sense issue here… we have words for 2= couple and for 3=few (or more)(or less)..whatever! but ask any kid who hasnt been ‘told’ and they’ll tell you it’s seven (or more) (or less).. ARGH! I’m a teacher.. I can’t stand this word because of it’s dumb ass meaning! (now breath slowly.. 1 2 3) .. ok i’m back.. lol.. thank you to all those who are agree =)

By: Steve N

Steve N — Sun, 24 May 2009 08:16:26 +0000

Several sounds like seven but probably isn’t because seven is many and definately not a few.

I’ve heard people say in conversation lately several billion and thats plenty and definitely more than enough.

My personal estimate of several’s value is 26 but I’ve been wrong before.

Thanks, I hope you found this helpful.

By: Joy M

Joy M — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:20:17 +0000

I was always taught:

2 = couple
3 or more = few and,
7 = several

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:58:20 +0000

2 = couple
3 = a few
4-7 = several
8 or more = many

By: Tom Watson

Tom Watson — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Mike, I can’t select the one I want (3).

By: Tom Watson

Tom Watson — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Huh, I was able to get it working in IE. Strange.

By: James Asher

James Asher — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

When I hear ‘several’, I think of a certain range, not one specific number. Just a thought.

By: Josh Williams

Josh Williams — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

2 = Couple
3 = Few
4 or more = Several

By: Mike Rundle

Mike Rundle — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I tried clicking on 147,548 but it wasn’t working, not sure why. I’m using Safari.

By: Martijn

Martijn — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

For me it’s more like ‘multiple’ so that means 2 or more..

By: anon

anon — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I’ve never pegged ‘several’ to any number in paticular, but had the range of three-seven in mind.

For no other reason, than it’s what my mum told me when I was a child.

By: Ryan Christensen

Ryan Christensen — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

For me:

A couple = 2
A few = 3
Several = 4, maybe more

.. and so on.. though it sort of depends on the situation. Several is generally a range that can be anywhere between 4 and 6.. perhaps 7. More than that is probably closing in on a "lot"..

By: XINERGY

XINERGY — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Beyond singular… Two to three I’ve considered a COUPLE (I know 3 does not equal “couple” in the conventional meaning of the word, but work with me here). Four to six I’ve considered FEW. Thus, seven seemed like the logical choice to be SEVERAL, in my opinion.

XINERGY

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

At first I thought, about 4 or so, but not more than 7 or 8.But the librarian in me (occupational hazard) is compelled to look it up.

Being of a number more than two or three but not many.

By: Scott Smith

Scott Smith — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I said seven, because “seven” sounds like “several”