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a few of them vs some of them

Both 'a few of them' and 'some of them' are correct and commonly used phrases in English. They are interchangeable in many contexts, but 'a few of them' implies a slightly smaller quantity than 'some of them.' Choosing between the two is determined by the amount of emphasis or type of nuance one wishes to express.
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Explained by Gregg
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Last updated: September 14, 2024 • 18826 views

a few of them

The phrase 'a few of them' is correct and commonly used in English. It implies a small, but not insignificant, number of items or people.

This phrase is used to refer to a small number of items or people. It suggests a quantity that is more than two or three but still limited.

Examples:

  • I invited a few of them to the party.
  • Only a few of them completed the assignment on time.
  • She bought a few of them at the store.
  • Translations. quelques-unsquelques-unes ⇒ Give me a few of them. Donnez m' en quelques-uns (or quelques-unes). See them (sens 4) ...
  • I was expecting lots of people at the party, but very few (=almost none) turned up. Quite a few of them (=many of them) were pleasantly surprised. I don't know ...
  • only a few of them came → sólo vinieron unos pocos there are very few of us; we are very few ... a few of them → algunos de ellos quite a few see a good few.
  • Quite a few of them (=many of them) were pleasantly surprised. I don't know how many drinks I've had, but I've had a few. [This usage is likely ironic.].

Alternatives:

  • several of them
  • a couple of them
  • a handful of them
  • a small number of them
  • a limited number of them

some of them

The phrase 'some of them' is correct and commonly used in English. It implies an unspecified quantity of items or people, without specifying whether it is a small or large number.

This phrase is used to refer to an unspecified quantity of items or people. It is more general and does not imply a specific numerical value.

Examples:

  • Some of them agreed with the proposal.
  • I need to return some of them to the store.
  • She gave some of them away as gifts.
  • Could you give me an answer? With helps of my friends, that some of them had owed me a debt of gratitude, I overcame all difficulties. Thanks in advance.
  • Oct 21, 2008 ... Dean - Some Of Them Want To Use You. angelelaura. SubscribeSubscribed Unsubscribe 132. Loading... Loading... Working... Add to ...
  • Oct 25, 2009 ... I travel the world. And the seven seas, Everybody's looking for something. Some of them want to use you. Some of them want to get used by you
  • These 12 Crazy Things Were Found on Earth, and Some of Them Still Can't Be Explained. Posted Mar 25, by Dominic Trombino. There are some truly amazing ...

Alternatives:

  • a portion of them
  • a number of them
  • a group of them
  • part of them
  • a selection of them

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