I was hammered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was hammered" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to convey that the speaker was very intoxicated or drunk. Example: "I was so embarrassed when I woke up the next morning and realized I had sent those drunken texts. I was hammered last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Roger," he adds, "were you ever anywhere besides a bar at 19?" "Between the ages of 17 and 25, I was hammered all the time," Ailes says, to the room's general amusement: the old dog! "Eventually I realized I'd have to find someone who'd pay me to drink, or cut it out".

The New York Times - Magazine

Someone shouted, "Are you guys having sex?" and I responded "yes!" I was hammered.

Vice

"By the end of it I was hammered and getting topless in front of a bewildered looking cat".

Huffington Post

Well, I was laughing it up, I think Charlie Brooker was trying to get away cos I was hammered.

Vice

3. "I guess that's the one advantage of having a dry, Mormon wedding -- we weren't too drunk to have sex!" 4. "We had sex, but I barely remember it, because I was hammered!

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Once, we were running electrical lines and lights on the back of some paintings, and I was hammering and a plate fell off of a shelf and smashed into a million pieces.

The New York Times

I was hammering a nail into my nostril, just to see what would happen, as kids will do, when suddenly there was a tremendous explosion that sent nail and hammer flying and injured a neighbor in his yard across the street.

The New Yorker

Six months ago, I was hammering that we could get this done and everybody thought I was–had lost it somehow.

Forbes

I was hammering it with friends before going out, but equally listening to it during my droopy-eyed commute.

Vice

"About 1.30am I thought: 'I'm hammered here, go home.' I had to walk partially across the beach.

The Guardian - Sport

I've spent around £17, I'm hammered and people have been nothing but lovely to me.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was hammered" in informal settings, such as personal anecdotes or casual conversations, to vividly describe a state of strong intoxication.

Common error

Avoid using "I was hammered" in formal writing or professional settings, as it is considered slang and inappropriate for such contexts. Opt for more neutral or formal alternatives like "I was intoxicated" or "I had too much to drink".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was hammered" functions as a subject-verb-complement structure, where "I" is the subject, "was" is the verb, and "hammered" serves as a predicate adjective describing the subject's state. Ludwig indicates this is a valid and commonly understood construction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was hammered" is an informal way to express a state of significant intoxication. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound and understandable, though best reserved for casual settings. While numerous synonyms exist, such as "I was drunk" or "I was wasted", the level of formality should guide your choice. Remember, avoid using "I was hammered" in professional or formal contexts; instead, opt for more neutral language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was plastered

Similar to hammered but emphasizes a state of being completely incapacitated by alcohol.

I was wasted

Conveys a similar meaning, often implying a loss of control due to intoxication.

I was smashed

Similar to hammered, implying a strong level of intoxication.

I was drunk

A more general and straightforward way to say someone was intoxicated.

I was blitzed

Another informal term for being very drunk.

I was intoxicated

A more formal way of saying someone was drunk.

I was three sheets to the wind

An idiomatic expression for being very drunk.

I was inebriated

A more formal and clinical term for being drunk.

I had too much to drink

A more neutral and less intense way to describe being intoxicated.

I overindulged

A euphemistic way of saying you drank too much.

FAQs

What does "I was hammered" mean?

"I was hammered" is an informal expression meaning that someone was very drunk or intoxicated.

What can I say instead of "I was hammered"?

You can use alternatives like "I was drunk", "I was intoxicated", or "I was plastered" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to say "I was hammered" in a formal setting?

No, the phrase "I was hammered" is considered informal and is not appropriate for formal or professional settings. Use more formal alternatives instead.

How does "I was hammered" compare to "I was drunk"?

While both phrases describe intoxication, "I was hammered" implies a higher degree of drunkenness and is more colloquial than "I was drunk".