Learn English – Using ‘several’ and ‘some’

determiners

What is the difference between these two?

Ann has some nieces.
Ann has several nieces.

OALD defines some as:

3) a large number or amount of something
4) a small amount or number of something

and several as:

more than two but not very many

Does this mean that some is more than several? How can I use them correctly?

The question asks " does Annie have any nephews or nieces ?

Best Answer

You use several with countable nouns, which means nouns that can be made plural... for example dogs, cats, cars...

I have several cars. I drink several cups of coffee in the morning.

You use some with non-countable nouns... nouns that are always singular.

For example: coffee, sand, money. It means a small amount I have some money in the bank. I usually drink some coffee in the morning.

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