“Several amount” isn't a very standard phrase. I think you might mean “several” (which means more than two but not many) and “amount” (which refers to a quantity of something). Here are some synonyms and their analyses:
For “several”
1. A few
- Meaning: A small number of; more than one but not a large quantity. For example, “I have a few friends coming over tonight.”
- Usage difference: “A few” is very similar to “several.” However, it might imply an even smaller number. “Several” often gives the impression of a bit more than “a few,” but the distinction is quite subtle. For example, if you say “a few books,” it might suggest around three or four, while “several books” could imply five or six, but this can vary depending on context.
2. Some
- Meaning: An unspecified quantity or number; a part of a whole. For example, “Some students were absent from class today.”
- Usage difference: “Some” is more general than “several.” It doesn't give a clear indication of the number like “several” does. “Some” can refer to a relatively small amount or a more significant portion, depending on the context. In contrast to “several,” it's a broader term and might be used when the exact number isn't important or is unknown. For example, “Some money” could be any amount from a little to a lot, while “several dollars” gives a more specific sense of a few individual dollars.
3. Various
- Meaning: Different; of several kinds. For example, “There were various reasons for his decision.”
- Usage difference: “Various” emphasizes the diversity of the items or concepts rather than the number. In comparison to “several,” it focuses more on the fact that there are different types. For example, “Several books” just tells you about the number of books, while “various books” implies that the books are different in some way, such as different genres, authors, or topics.
For “amount”
1. Quantity
- Meaning: The amount or number of a material or abstract thing. For example, “The quantity of water in the tank is decreasing.”
- Usage difference: “Quantity” is a very close synonym to “amount.” It's a more formal or technical term in some contexts. In comparison to “amount,” it might be used more in scientific, mathematical, or business - related discussions. For example, in a chemistry experiment, you would talk about the quantity of a chemical reagent, and in a financial report, you might refer to the quantity of stocks or products.
2. Volume
- Meaning: The amount of space that a substance or object occupies, or the amount of a particular activity. For example, “The volume of sales has increased this quarter.”
- Usage difference: “Volume” often implies a more three - dimensional or extensive measurement. In the context of substances, it refers to the physical space they take up. In a business context, like the example above, it's used to describe the scale of an activity such as sales or production. In contrast to “amount,” which is a more general term for quantity, “volume” has these specific connotations related to space or the scale of an operation.
3. Sum
- Meaning: The total amount resulting from the addition of two or more numbers, amounts, or items. For example, “The sum of money he owed was quite large.”
- Usage difference: “Sum” is usually used when you are talking about adding up different parts to get a total. In comparison to a more general “amount,” it implies a calculation of a total. For example, you might talk about the amount of individual expenses, but the sum of all those expenses to get the overall cost.