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REFERENCE

some

det. · pron. · adv. · adj.
US //ˈsəm// UK //sˈʌm// some
  1. 1 one particular but unknown (det.)
    B1 Intermediate

    used to talk about a person or thing when you do not know which one it is.

    refers to a specific but unidentified or unspecified person, place, or thing in the singular.

    Example

    Some man called for you earlier but he didn't leave his name.

    Example

    The project failed because of some technical error that the engineers were unable to replicate in the lab.

    Usage

    Used with a singular countable noun.
  2. 2 a part of a group (pron.)
    A1 Beginner

    a certain number of people or things from a larger group.

    functions as a pronoun representing an unspecified number or amount of a previously mentioned or implied set.

    Example

    Some of the students finished the test early and left the room.

    Example

    While most participants preferred the original design, some argued that the updated interface was more intuitive for new users.

    Usage

    Often followed by 'of' before a specific group.
    • a portion
    • a few
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  1. 3 approximately (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    about or roughly a certain number.

    used before a numeral to indicate an approximate value.

    Example

    Some eighty people attended the wedding ceremony last night.

    Example

    The company expects to hire some five hundred new employees over the next fiscal year to meet rising demand.

    Usage

    Always precedes a number or measurement.

    Teacher's tip

    This usage is more common in written reports or news than in casual conversation.
  2. 4 impressive or remarkable (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    used to say that something is very good or very impressive.

    used as an intensifier to indicate that the following noun is remarkable or noteworthy.

    Example

    That was some party last night; I've never seen so many people.

    Example

    It was some achievement for the young athlete to break the world record in her very first international competition.

    Usage

    Always used before a singular noun.

    Teacher's tip

    This is often used with a tone of surprise or genuine admiration.
  3. 5 a little or somewhat (adv.)
    C1 Advanced American English Dialect Informal

    to a small degree or for a short time.

    functions as a degree adverb meaning 'to some extent'.

    Example

    The weather has improved some since this morning.

    Example

    After the long hike, his legs were aching some, so he decided to rest by the stream.

    Usage

    Usually follows a verb.

    Teacher's tip

    This is very informal and primarily found in North American dialects; 'somewhat' is better for formal writing.
Origin

From Middle English som, sum, from Old English sum (“some, a certain one”), from Proto-West Germanic sum, from Proto-Germanic sumaz (“some, a certain one”), from Proto-Indo-European *sem- (“one, whole”). Cognate Scots sum, some (“some”), North Frisian som, sam, säm (“some”), West Frisian sommige, somlike (“some”), dialectal Dutch som, saom (“some”), standard Dutch sommige (“some”), Low German somige (“some”), German dialectal summige (“some”), Danish somme (“some”), Swedish somlig (“some”), Norwegian sum, som (“some”), Icelandic sumur (“some”), Gothic 𐍃𐌿𐌼𐍃 (sums, “one, someone”). More at same.

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