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Alex+ Posted 18 years ago
Vocabulary
several vs a few
What’s the difference between “several” and “a few”?
He phoned me a few times.
He phoned me several times.
She’s got several watches.
She’s got a few watches.
Thank you in advance.
He phoned me a few times.
He phoned me several times.
She’s got several watches.
She’s got a few watches.
Thank you in advance.
Top answer
Hi, 'A few' focuses on 'not a lot'. 'Several' doesn't. In fact, in some contexts it suggests 'quite a lot'.
- Hi, 'A few' focuses on 'not a lot'.
- 'Several' doesn't.
- In fact, in some contexts it suggests 'quite a lot'.
- Clive
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4 Answers
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Hi,
'A few' focuses on 'not a lot'.
'Several' doesn't. In fact, in some contexts it suggests 'quite a lot'.
Clive
'A few' focuses on 'not a lot'.
'Several' doesn't. In fact, in some contexts it suggests 'quite a lot'.
Clive
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Thank you for your answer.
As I understood, I’d better use “several” in situation #2 and # 3.
1. I don’t know him very well. I’ve met him a few times.
2. I know him quite well. I’ve met him several times.
3. I’m fed up with her. She phoned me several times this morning.
As I understood, I’d better use “several” in situation #2 and # 3.
1. I don’t know him very well. I’ve met him a few times.
2. I know him quite well. I’ve met him several times.
3. I’m fed up with her. She phoned me several times this morning.
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Several is better in 2 and 3. With #1, I'd insert "only" as such: I've only met him a few times.
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