I was full

USAGE SUMMARY

'I was full' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you have eaten too much and no longer feel hungry. For example: "I had two helpings of pasta for dinner and afterwards I was full."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I was full.

The New Yorker

Ms. Hampton said, "I was full on".

The New York Times

I was full of it.

The Guardian - Travel

I was full of beans.

The Guardian - Music

I was full of complexes.

The Guardian - Film

"At first, I was full of joy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I was full-blown shaking," she recalled.

The Washington Post

I had to remind myself that I was full-grown man".

The New Yorker

As a Chicagoan, I was full-on shouting.

Huffington Post

Lost in the story was the fact that I was full-time educator.

HuffPost

"I was full of references," she says, invoking them explicitly throughout the book.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was full" to clearly and simply communicate that you have eaten enough and do not want any more food. It's a straightforward way to decline additional servings.

Common error

Avoid using "I was full" when you mean "I was filled with emotion" or "I was busy". While "full" can apply metaphorically, using more specific language prevents misunderstanding. For emotional states, use "overwhelmed" or "moved". For busyness, say "I was occupied" or "I was busy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was full" functions as a statement of condition, indicating a state of satiety or completion. It primarily uses the past tense of the verb 'to be' to describe the subject's condition in the past. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Lifestyle

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was full" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, primarily to express satiety after eating. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and widely applicable. It’s crucial to be aware of the contexts beyond food consumption, ensuring you employ clear language in scenarios where the term might convey emotion or completion. The phrase sees common usage across news and media, lifestyle content, and even academic settings, while also being suitable for informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was satiated

Replaces "full" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the feeling of satisfaction after eating.

I was replete

A formal synonym for "full", often used in a literary context.

I had eaten enough

Focuses on the action of eating and reaching a point of sufficiency.

I was stuffed

An informal way to express extreme fullness.

I couldn't eat another bite

Emphasizes the inability to consume more due to fullness.

I was completely satisfied

Shifts the focus to overall satisfaction, which can include but isn't limited to food.

I had my fill

An idiomatic expression indicating that one has had enough of something, often food.

I was bursting

Implies an extreme level of fullness, almost to the point of discomfort.

I had overeaten

Specifies that the fullness is a result of eating too much.

I was brimming with

Shifts the context to being filled with something other than food, such as emotion or energy.

FAQs

What does "I was full" mean?

The phrase "I was full" typically means that you have eaten enough and are no longer hungry. It is a polite way to decline more food.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I was full"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "I" is the subject, "was" is the past tense of the verb "to be", and "full" is an adjective describing the subject's state.

What can I say instead of "I was full" to be more polite?

You can use alternatives like "I am satiated", "I had my fill", or "I couldn't eat another bite" depending on the context.

Can "I was full" be used in contexts other than eating?

Yes, but it is less common. You might say "I was full of joy" to mean you were filled with happiness, but it's generally clearer to use "I was filled with joy" or "I was overjoyed".