I was spent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was spent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of exhaustion and depletion of energy following physical or mental exertion. For example: "After the long hike, I was spent and needed to rest".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I was spent.

The Guardian - Film

I mean, I was spent.

The New York Times

I was spent... So, quietly and without any fuss, I decided, then and there, to stop".

The Guardian - Books

"There was a private party for the guys but by that point I was spent.

The Guardian - Sport

I was hit with a really bad head cold on Friday and Saturday, so I was spent Saturday sleeping it off under the mosquito net.

University of California, Berkeley

"I think last year at this time, I was maybe seven or eight weeks into a trip," Fish said, adding, "I was spent".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"I was spending time with him".

The New York Times

I was spending more time at home".

The New York Times

I was spending my own money.

The New York Times

I was spending my nights playing Internet backgammon.

Princeton University

"I was spending all of this money," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was spent" to effectively communicate a state of complete exhaustion after a demanding activity or period. It's particularly apt when emphasizing both physical and emotional depletion.

Common error

While acceptable, "I was spent" can sound less formal than alternatives like "I was exhausted" or "I was depleted". Choose your wording to suit the overall tone and purpose of your communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was spent" functions as a statement in the past tense, where "spent" acts as a predicate adjective describing the subject's state of exhaustion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was spent" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express a state of exhaustion. As Ludwig AI validates, it effectively conveys physical and emotional depletion, fitting comfortably in various contexts, including news, academia, and personal narratives. While alternatives such as "I was exhausted" or "I was drained" may be more appropriate in formal settings, "I was spent" remains a versatile and expressive choice for describing extreme tiredness. The authoritative sources confirm its presence in reputable publications, affirming its acceptability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was exhausted

Direct synonym, replaces "spent" with a more common term for extreme tiredness.

I was drained

Implies a loss of energy, similar to being spent, but focuses on the feeling of emptiness.

I was worn out

Suggests tiredness resulting from prolonged use or exertion.

I was depleted

More formal, indicating a significant reduction in resources, including energy.

I had no energy left

Explicitly states the absence of energy, rather than an implied state.

I was completely knackered

Informal British English synonym for being extremely tired.

I was running on fumes

Idiomatic expression suggesting that one is operating with minimal energy reserves.

I was at the end of my rope

Indicates being at the limit of one's ability to cope, encompassing both physical and mental exhaustion.

I couldn't go on anymore

Highlights the inability to continue due to fatigue or stress.

I was totally beat

Informal way of saying extremely tired.

FAQs

What does the phrase "I was spent" mean?

The phrase "I was spent" means that you were extremely tired or exhausted, both physically and emotionally. It implies a state of depletion after significant exertion.

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

You can use alternatives like "I was exhausted", "I was drained", or "I was worn out" depending on the context.

Is "I was spent" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I was spent" is grammatically correct. "Spent" is the past participle of the verb "spend", and it can be used as an adjective to describe a state of being exhausted.

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

You can use "I was spent" in sentences like, "After running the marathon, I was spent", or "By the end of the project, I was spent and needed a vacation".