several
adj.adj. more than two but not many. You use it when you want to say there are a few of something, but you are not giving the exact number.
adj. denoting an indefinite number that is more than two but fewer than 'many'. Functions as a quantifier that precedes the noun it modifies.
I have several books to read this weekend.
The manager interviewed several candidates for the position before making a final decision.
Although the committee reached a consensus on the primary goal, several members expressed reservations regarding the proposed timeline for implementation.
Always precedes a plural countable noun; cannot be used with uncountable nouns.
several of peopleseveral peopleWhen used as a determiner, it sits directly before the noun without 'of' unless followed by a specific pronoun or article like 'several of them'.