some number!

[DaSwede]

Been trying for years now to understand the significance of the word 'some', followed by a number. Just when I had decided that you folks probably use it in an approximating manner, as in...

She wrote some thirty books = I'm not sure exactly how many, it may have been 29, it may have been 31

...I saw Iris (the movie), in which Iris Murdoch was introduced somewhere with the words "She has written some twenty-seven books." Farewell hypothesis.

Is it 'just' a metrical thing? Would the meaning change if the word 'some' was excluded?

By the way, if you haven't seen the movie, do.

I'll thank you in a couple of days.

[shero101]

Hi DaSwede, I would say that your 'Iris' example is correct. If you were using an expession as an approximation you would say, to use your example, ' She wrote about 30 books'.

To say 'some 27 books' is like saying 'as many as ...!' in a way that expresses the person has written a lot of books.

I hope that explains it.

I have to say judging by your username and that you refer to us as 'you folks' that English is not your first language. If that is the case then I congratulate you on your written Engilsh and your use of grammar and spelling. It's a lot better than many who have English as their first (and probably only language).

[kempie]

When used as an adverb, some does indeed indicate an approximation...

Some 30 competitors finished the race

...and as an adjective it may mean an unspecified number or quantity...

Would you like some food?

...but is also used to imply a relatively large figure...

He has been a member of the club for some 25 years

[DaSwede]

Confu-used...! (As always, just before understanding something.)

After reading your reply, shero101, I thought I had it. But kempie, now I don't, again... I have no problem with your "some food" example at all. But the other two, how do you (as a listener/reader) know which is intended as an approximation and which is meant to imply a relatively large figure...? Take the club membership example, for instance. How would you know, if you read that, which sense was being used? Oh please explain it if at all possible, kempie! (Or anyone else dropping by.)

shero101, thanks also for complimenting me on my English. It's good to hear, especially as I fear I'm often annoying with my stubborn mix of US English and UK English. Been telling myself for decades I must make a choice, but I feel so phoney when I do - you know, as if I were actually 'trying to pass' as one or the other... And so I persist in cooking up this cultural hotchpotch that would for sure annoy the bleep out of me if one of "you folks" were to do the same thing mixing say Swedish and Danish. So thankyou, shero - you make me feel forgiven.