I was wasted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was wasted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe a feeling of having consumed too much alcohol or other substances to the point of becoming incapacitated. For example, "After a few too many drinks, I was wasted and couldn't even remember how I got home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I was wasted.

Vice

I was wasted by this point.

Vice

I only lived because I was wasted.

Vice

I was wasted, frenetically pacing our hotel room, and promising Katie I would walk it off.

Huffington Post

Some possibilities: I thought they'd blame me, the fact that I was wasted.

Vice

Because I was wasted, falling asleep that night was pretty easy.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"My friends thought I was wasting away".

The New Yorker

"I was wasting my time," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

"Made me feel like I was wasting their time.

Independent

Now I can see I was wasting my time, fighting.

The Guardian

I think they thought I was wasting their time.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was wasted", consider your audience and the context. In formal writing, opt for more professional alternatives such as "I was intoxicated."

Common error

Avoid using "I was wasted" in formal contexts such as academic papers or business reports. This phrase is best suited for casual conversations or informal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was wasted" functions as a statement of condition, specifically describing the speaker's state of intoxication. Ludwig shows examples where it's used to explain behavior or circumstances resulting from this state.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was wasted" is a common and informal way to express that one was heavily intoxicated, as Ludwig examples show. While grammatically correct, its usage is best suited for casual settings and personal narratives. For formal contexts, alternatives like "I was intoxicated" are more appropriate. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is perfectly usable in written English, but writers should be mindful of the intended audience and communication objective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was intoxicated

Focuses specifically on the state of being affected by alcohol or drugs.

I was drunk

A more direct and common synonym for being under the influence of alcohol.

I was hammered

An informal term for being very drunk.

I was plastered

Another informal term indicating a high level of intoxication.

I was inebriated

A more formal synonym for being drunk.

I was blitzed

Informal term implying a sudden and intense state of intoxication.

I was legless

British slang indicating extreme drunkenness, to the point of losing control.

I was sozzled

A milder, slightly humorous term for being tipsy or slightly drunk.

I was depleted

Focuses on being drained of energy, rather than intoxication.

I was spent

Similar to 'depleted', but can also refer to emotional or physical exhaustion.

FAQs

What does "I was wasted" mean?

The phrase "I was wasted" means that the speaker was heavily intoxicated, typically from alcohol or drugs, to the point of being impaired.

What's a more formal way to say "I was wasted"?

For a more formal setting, you could say "I was intoxicated" or "I was under the influence".

Is "I was wasted" appropriate in professional communication?

No, the phrase "I was wasted" is generally too informal for professional communication. It's better to use neutral language such as "I had too much to drink".

What can I say instead of "I was wasted" if I want to emphasize exhaustion?

If you want to convey exhaustion rather than intoxication, you can use phrases like "I was depleted" or "I was spent"./s/I+was+spent" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">I was spent.