Are you trying to figure out whether it’s appropriate to use “some of” in different formal situations?
Perhaps you’re worried the phrase itself isn’t very professional.
Fear not! You have options.
This article will teach you how to say “some of” professionally to avoid any awkward moments in your writing going forward.
Other Ways to Say “Some Of”
- Several of
- A handful of
- A portion of
- Part of
- A few of
- A segment of
- Quite a few of
- A selection of
- A piece of
- Certain
- A bit of
- A number of
- Many of
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “Some of” is correct and works well in your writing, but it can be a bit repetitive.
- Try using “several of” to mix things up as a formal synonym in your emails and essays.
- “A handful of” is great as an informal alternative when you’re trying to convey a more friendly tone.
Keep reading to find other ways to say “some of.” We’ve touched on the most effective formal and informal alternatives to show you what’s going to work best in your writing.
Alternatively, you can read the final section to learn whether “some of” is correct. Then, you’ll know if it’s worth including it in your writing.
Several Of (Formal)
It’s worth using “several of” as a formal synonym in your writing. After all, “several” is another word for “some of” which shows multiple things are being considered.
Generally, you can use this when writing a professional email. It’s best to include it when writing to a client.
You might want to use it when talking about protocols or ways you handle issues. Therefore, it’s a good chance to sound respectful when explaining that there are “several” things to discuss.
Feel free to review this email sample if you still need help:
Dear Miss Chechik,
Several of these protocols are still in the works.
Therefore, I can’t be of any more assistance until I know what we’re working with.
All the best,
Sam Weiss
It’s also smart to use something like this in academic writing. It gives you a chance to explain something in more detail when you’d like the reader to pay attention.
For instance:
Several of these changes helped me to get to this conclusion. That’s why I’m certain it’s the best way for me to continue.
A Handful Of (Informal)
Try mixing things up by using “a handful of” as another way to say “some of.”
This time, it’s a more informal phrase. So, it’s worth including it to sound friendly and less intense.
For the most part, this can work well in an email to a coworker. It lets them know that you value them as a friend but would still like to share some information with them.
Feel free to review this email example if you need help understanding it:
Hey Mark,
A handful of us are going to the meeting hall at lunchtime.
I’d like you to come along because we have a few things to discuss!
Yours,
Clara Saunders
It also works when writing an essay. Of course, it’s best to use it in more informal essays. But it’s still a good way to add character to them and show that you’re being more conversational.
So, here’s a great essay sample to show you a bit more about it:
A handful of these problems could have been prevented. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the know how to make that happen.
Is It Correct to Say “Some Of”?
It is correct to say “some of.” Technically, it is a formal way to show that a group of people or things are being mentioned.
However, it can be a bit repetitive. So, you should avoid using it too often. Otherwise, it might take away from the impact of your writing.
You can also review this email sample to learn more about how it works:
Dear Katie,
Some of us would like to go with you to the meeting.
It might be a good chance for us to explain more about what we’re looking for.
Yours,
Carl Mars
Of course, if you’re still a bit confused about using it, you should look at what extensions work with the phrase.
So, we’ve gathered a list of usable extensions to show you how to include it in your writing:
- Some of us
- Some of you
- Some of them
- Some of these include
- Some of the ways
- Some of the most
As you can see, something will always come after “of” to help identify who or what you’re talking about.
Don’t leave without bookmarking this page, though! After all, you never know when you might need to come back here. You could always use these synonyms for “some of” in the future!