In Dutch, we have three different words for 'several'.
| Verschillende
| Several
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| Verscheidene
|
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| Diverse
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Verschillende and diverse are also often used as adjectives (see below). As pronouns, they all mean 'several'. They can refer to things and to persons.
The three are perfectly interchangeable. Verscheidene has a slightly formal sound.
Preceding a plural noun
| De buren hebben er al verschillende keren over geklaagd.
| The neighbours already complained about it several times.
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| De buren hebben er al verscheidene keren over geklaagd.
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| De buren hebben er al diverse keren over geklaagd.
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Independent
When they function as independent
pronouns (not preceding a noun), they normally refer to things. They can also refer to persons but this is very uncommon (in this case, we have to -n).
The independent pronouns verschillende, verscheidene, and diverse require er (see also er in the sense of 'of it' or 'of them').
| Heb je wel eens een vallende ster gezien? Ja, ik heb er al verschillende gezien.
| Have you ever seen a falling star? Yes, I have already seen several of them.
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As adjectives
As adjectives, verschillende means 'different' and diverse means 'diverse'. Verscheidene means 'various' but is hardly ever used as an adjective.
| We hebben veel verschillende nationaliteiten in onze klas.
| We have many different nationalities in our class.
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| De flora en fauna op de Galapagoseilanden zijn zeer divers.
| The flora and fauna on the Galapagos Islands are very diverse.
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