What is the cutoff between “a few” and several?

Posted by inamesh on Saturday December 07, 2019 @03:09PM
from the self-post dept.

"It will take a few weeks" vs "It will take several weeks".

Just had an argument about setting up incorrect expectations by using "a few".

Thoughts?

( 3 comments | on HN )

Re:What is the cutoff between “a few” and several? by leed25d on Saturday December 07, 2019 @10:53PM (#21734244)

Why not consult a domain expert?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What is the cutoff between “a few” and several? by inamesh on Sunday December 08, 2019 @12:08AM (#21734432)

I did, and that's exactly why I felt the need to ask, since there doesn't seem to be a proper definition.

It also depends on the context, as is explained in the example given for the usage of few.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:What is the cutoff between “a few” and several? by stuqqq on Saturday December 07, 2019 @04:09PM (#21732571)

A few < 10

Several >= 10

[ Parent | on HN ]