Matt and I got into a bit of a tiff this morning. The reasons aren't important -- well, okay, technically, it was during an 'informal' discussion of wedding finances, and specifically about flowers. But it was just a misunderstanding -- a misinterpretation of a certain word. When we cleared up the misunderstanding, we were fine.
My question: How many is "several"? What's your immediate impression when you hear the word "several"?
P.S.: Apparently, the phrase "that's just what things cost," especially in reference to flowers, does not go over well with the menfolk.
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More than a few, but less than many, 5-10?
ReplyDeleteYeah, about 7, for Maggie's reasons.
ReplyDeleteHmm...to me, several could be as few as three, and as many as maybe a dozen, but I would tend to assume closer to three. But I'm with Ross; precise data is always better. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, well. I see that I did not make it clear that the "several" did not actually refer to the flowers themselves; it referred to the amount of money that should be set aside to procure said flowers.
ReplyDeleteWhich is why, the difference between "two or three," and "seven to 12," is actually rather important.
So you want to know what kind of flowers?
ReplyDeleteThe 'several' was dollars, in the hundreds. 'Several hundred dollars.'
Types of flowers... Unclear at this juncture. I'm thinking something with hydrangeas, but it might just turn out to be flowers are used only in bouquets and boutonnieres.
Woo! Nice bouquet, Ross! Where'd you find that?
I know I'm way late, but for the record:
ReplyDelete'a couple' means 2 or maybe 3
'several' means 3 to 4
any more than that, and you need to use actual numbers, esp. if you're talking about 'hundreds of dollars' (!!)
and a freakin' hearty 'AMEN' on your P.S. (I feel like I need to bump chests or something with Matt-- did you really say "that's just what things cost"?)
I'm with Stacy on this. But then I'm sort of picky grammatically speaking.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, if you want hydrangeas in the fall they are going to be WAY expensive. If you go with something that's more seasonal that might reduce the cost.
Don't listen to Ross, because we went way cheap-ola on flowers at our wedding and they still cost "several hundred" dollars. He doesn't even know ... that's why men don't plan weddings ...
AS IF ...
I guess I'm with the guys on this one. My immediate mental picture of "several" was 3-5. But I can see how that would be the same as a "few".
ReplyDeleteSeveral is 3-5 in my mind. 6 or 7 is seems too many for "several." Five even is pushing it.
ReplyDelete(I don't check most of my blogs at work, so this is a bit late for the discussion...)
I'm late, too... but here's what I say:
ReplyDelete“One” = 1
“A couple” = 2 (as in they are a couple or when you couple train cars there are two... you never have three in a romantic couple and you never couple three train cars in one action of coupling - note: you can chain couples together to get longer trains but when you couple, you are just putting two cars together.)
“A few” = 3 - 9
“Several” and “Many” are imprecise words that have may many different meanings to each person. "Several" and "Many" are not unique, testable, nor unambiguous; and therefore should never be used when specifying requirements. They're like the term "user friendly."
If I were given requirements containing the words "several" and / or "many" I would reject the requirements and require the analyst to be more specific and unambiguous. And while we’re at it, I’d reject “a few” as well for the same reason.
OMG!!!!!!!!! I'M WITH MIKE! Did you ACTUALLY say "that's just what things cost"?)?????? NO NO NO NO! That's an invitation to argument! YOU NEVER take the first or second or even the "acceptable" price quote... You ALWAYS BARGAIN HUNT! But then I'm not married for a reason! I'm CHEAP AND I LIKE IT THAT WAY! ;) Never met a girl as cheap as me! ;) Anybody know one, introduce us, I'm sure I enjoy that! Sorry for shouting... that touched a nerve.
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