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ForumThe Library: Information DeskA few, many, lots.

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A few, many, lots.

#1 · November 3, 2016, 6:51 am

I was always taught that 'a couple' was two, 'a few' were six, 'several' was seven, 'lots' was between ten and twenty and 'many' was more than twenty.

I've realised that the US has different amounts for these words, for example I've frequently seen 'several' refer to two or three.

Can anyone give me an idea of what they understand these words number please?

Thanks

Daisy

#2 · November 3, 2016, 9:23 am

I tend to use them this way:

couple =2

few = 3 to 5

several = 5 to 10

lots/many = 10+

But this is also subject to regional dialect in the US because I've also been known to use the term "a bunch" to refer to "lots".

#3 · November 3, 2016, 11:05 am

That's very helpful thank you Keira.

#4 · November 3, 2016, 1:36 pm

Don't forget that if you forget the S in lot you either have a car lot, a surveyed portion of land that may or may not be sectioned off, or a lot at an auction.

isn't English fun.

#5 · November 7, 2016, 5:58 am

Well pointed out Shevrock. We don't have that meaning in the UK.

Thanks

The Workshop

A few, many, lots.