Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
You use ~ to refer to a quantity of ~thing or to a number of people or things, when you are not stating the quantity or number precisely.
Robin opened ~ champagne...
He went to fetch ~ books...
Some children refuse to eat at all and others overeat.
DET: DET n-uncount/pl-n
•
Some is also a pronoun.
This year all the apples are all red. My niece and nephew are going out this morning with step-ladders to pick ~.
PRON
2.
You use ~ to emphasize that a quantity or number is fairly large. For example, if an activity takes ~ time, it takes quite a lot of time.
The question of local government finance has been the subject of debate for ~ years...
I have discussed this topic in ~ detail...
He remained silent for ~ time...
It took ~ effort to conceal her relief.
DET: DET n-uncount/pl-n emphasis
3.
You use ~ to emphasize that a quantity or number is fairly small. For example, if ~thing happens to ~ extent, it happens a little.
‘Isn’t there ~ chance that William might lead a normal life?’ asked Jill...
All mothers share to ~ extent in the tension of a wedding...
Some fishing is still allowed, but limits have been imposed on the size of the catch.
DET: DET n-uncount/sing-n emphasis
4.
If you refer to ~ of the people or things in a group, you mean a few of them but not all of them. If you refer to ~ of a particular thing, you mean a part of it but not all of it.
Some of the people already in work will lose their jobs...
Remove the cover and spoon ~ of the sauce into a bowl...
Some of us are sensitive to smells, others find colours easier to remember.
? all
QUANT: QUANT of n-uncount/pl-n
•
Some is also a pronoun.
When the chicken is cooked I’ll freeze ~.
PRON
5.
If you refer to ~ person or thing, you are referring to that person or thing but in a vague way, without stating precisely which person or thing you mean.
If you are worried about ~ aspect of your child’s health, call us...
She always thinks ~ guy is going to come along and fix her life.
DET: DET sing-n vagueness
6.
You can use ~ in front of a number to indicate that it is approximate.
I have kept birds for ~ 30 years...
He waited ~ 80 to 100 yards from the big pink villa...
= about
ADV: ADV num vagueness
7.
Some is used to mean to a small extent or degree. (AM)
If Susanne is off ~where, I’ll kill time by looking around ~...
ADV: ADV after v
8.
You can use ~ in front of a noun in order to express your approval or disapproval of the person or thing you are mentioning. (INFORMAL)
‘Some party!’—‘Yep. One hell of a party.’
DET feelings