What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
plural
Example
The plural form of 'book' is 'books'. [plural: adjective]
Example
The teacher asked the students to identify the plural nouns in the sentence. [plural: noun]
Example
There were plural opinions on the matter. [plural: adjective]
several
Example
I have several books on my reading list. [several: adjective]
Example
She invited several friends to her party. [several: adjective]
Example
Several of the candidates had impressive resumes. [several: pronoun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Several is more commonly used than plural in everyday language. Several is a versatile term that can be used in various contexts, while plural is a technical term used in specific fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between plural and several?
Plural is a more formal term than several. It is a technical term used in specific fields such as grammar and mathematics. Several, on the other hand, is a more casual term that can be used in everyday language.