What does some mean?
Some is a basic English word used when a quantity, number, person, or thing is not specified exactly. As a determiner, it appears before nouns: “some water,” “some friends,” or “some useful advice.” As a pronoun, it stands on its own to refer to an unspecified amount or an unspecified number of people or things: “Some were satisfied; others were not.” In informal contexts, it can also mean approximately or to some degree, as in “The film was some good.” Although its meaning is broad and less precise than words such as “several,” “a few,” or “approximately,” it is indispensable in everyday communication. Its history comes from Old English, and its modern forms continue to convey the central idea of an indefinite amount or identity that is deliberately left unspecified.
Indicates an unspecified amount, number, or portion of a noun.
"She has some experience with first aid."
Often used with singular and plural nouns; with plural nouns, it can mean “an unspecified number of.”
Refers to an unspecified person, people, thing, things, amount, or portion.
"Some of the tickets have already been sold."
In formal contexts, it may be followed by “of” and a noun phrase, as in “some of the students.”
Means approximately or to a limited degree, especially in informal usage.
"The results were some better this time."
This use is informal; “somewhat” is more appropriate in formal writing.
One small word carries an entire range of meanings: an indefinite quantity, an unidentified member of a group, and even an informal approximation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does some come from?
The word comes from Old English sum, an indefinite pronoun and determiner meaning an unspecified amount, number, or person. It developed through Middle English into the modern form some. The word is related to sum, which originally referred to the whole or total, and to same, which arose through a different development of the same linguistic root. The modern indefinite meanings developed from earlier uses in which a quantity or group was referred to without identifying every member.
How some is actually used
The determiner and pronoun uses are standard in formal and informal English. The adverbial use is informal and often appears in speech; in formal writing, “somewhat” or “slightly” is generally preferable.
Easily confused with some
“Some” refers to an unspecified quantity or to unspecified people or things, whereas “sum” refers to a total or an amount of money.
“Some” is an unspecified quantity or item, while “son” is a male child.