I was exhausted

USAGE SUMMARY

'I was exhausted' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about the physical and mental effects of tiring activities or situations. Example sentence: After a long day of work, I was exhausted and went straight to bed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

But I was exhausted.

The New York Times - Sports

I was exhausted.

The New York Times

"I was exhausted," he said.

The New York Times

I was exhausted and devastated.

The New York Times

Suddenly, I was exhausted.

The New Yorker

"I was exhausted afterwards.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

I'm exhausted.

The New York Times - Magazine

David: I am exhausted.

The New York Times

But I'm exhausted.

The Guardian - Opinion

"One is I'm exhausted.

The New York Times

"I'm exhausted," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was exhausted" to clearly and directly communicate a state of extreme tiredness after physical or mental exertion. This phrase is suitable for both spoken and written contexts.

Common error

While "I was exhausted" is a common and acceptable phrase, avoid using it repeatedly in a short span. Vary your language with synonyms like "I was drained", "I felt spent", or "I was worn out" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was exhausted" functions as a statement expressing a personal experience of extreme tiredness. Ludwig AI indicates this is a common expression, serving to communicate one's physical or mental depletion after an activity or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was exhausted" is a common and grammatically correct way to express extreme tiredness, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While highly prevalent, varying your vocabulary with synonyms such as "I was drained" or "I felt spent" can enhance your writing. When using the phrase, remember that it conveys a higher degree of tiredness than simply saying "I was tired". Use this phrase to effectively communicate significant fatigue in both spoken and written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I felt drained

Focuses on the feeling of being emptied of energy.

I was spent

Emphasizes the complete depletion of physical or mental resources.

I was worn out

Highlights the effect of prolonged exertion.

I was fatigued

A more formal way to express extreme tiredness.

I couldn't keep my eyes open

Focuses on the physical manifestation of extreme tiredness.

I was dead tired

An emphatic way to convey extreme tiredness.

I was ready to drop

Emphasizes the feeling of being on the verge of collapse from tiredness.

I was beat

Informal way to say exhausted.

I had no energy left

Focuses on the absence of energy.

I was running on fumes

Suggests that one is operating with minimal energy reserves.

FAQs

How can I use "I was exhausted" in a sentence?

You can use "I was exhausted" to describe a state of extreme tiredness. For example: "After the marathon, "I was exhausted" and slept for twelve hours."

What's a more formal alternative to "I was exhausted"?

A more formal alternative is "I was fatigued". This option is suitable for professional or academic writing.

How does "I was exhausted" differ from "I was tired"?

"I was tired" indicates a general state of needing rest, while "I was exhausted" implies a more extreme level of fatigue, suggesting a near-complete depletion of energy.

What can I say instead of "I was exhausted" to sound more descriptive?

You could say "I felt drained", "I was spent", or "I was worn out" for a more descriptive expression of exhaustion.