are overflowing with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are overflowing with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is abundant or excessive in quantity or quality. Example: "The garden is overflowing with vibrant flowers, creating a stunning display of colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"They are overflowing  with energy.

Independent

The Devils are overflowing with confidence.

The New York Times - Sports

The sidewalks are overflowing with dressed-down suburban crowds.

The New York Times - Style

Our University and our city are overflowing with ideas.

The Guardian

They are overflowing with potential and yet vulnerable.

The Guardian - Sport

The houses are overflowing with third-world immigrants.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Yet America is overflowing with money.

The Economist

"My wallet was overflowing with receipts.

The New York Times

Wall Street is overflowing with excess again.

The New York Times

And Spain is overflowing with architectural publications.

The New York Times - Arts

Its bank account is overflowing with cash.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are overflowing with" to vividly depict situations of abundance or excess. It adds a sense of fullness and intensity beyond just 'having a lot'.

Common error

Avoid using "are overflowing with" when describing abstract concepts that cannot be filled in a literal sense. For example, instead of saying "The meeting is overflowing with ideas", consider "The meeting generated a wealth of ideas".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are overflowing with" functions as a descriptive verb phrase, characterizing a subject as possessing an abundance of something. As Ludwig AI points out, this expression suggests that something is plentiful or abundant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are overflowing with" is a versatile and widely used expression for describing abundance or excess. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and scientific writing. While generally neutral in register, it's important to avoid misusing the phrase in highly abstract contexts. Remember to consider suitable alternatives like "are brimming with" or "are packed with" for variety and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are brimming with

Substitutes "overflowing" with "brimming", indicating fullness to the point of nearly overflowing.

are bursting with

Similar to overflowing, suggesting an extreme fullness.

are filled to the brim with

More descriptive, specifying that something is filled completely.

are packed with

Indicates a tight filling, suggesting density and abundance.

are abundant in

Replaces "overflowing" with a more formal term suggesting plenty.

are loaded with

Suggests a heavy filling, often implying a burden or excessive amount.

are rich in

Conveys abundance, often used to describe resources or qualities.

are saturated with

Replaces "overflowing" with "saturated", emphasizing a state of being completely filled.

are teeming with

Implies an abundance of living things or activity.

have an abundance of

Uses a different grammatical structure to express plenty.

FAQs

How can I use "are overflowing with" in a sentence?

You can use "are overflowing with" to describe situations where something is abundant or excessive. For example, "The shelves "are overflowing with" books" or "The city "is overflowing with" tourists during the summer".

What are some alternatives to "are overflowing with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "are brimming with", "are packed with", or "are filled to the brim with".

Is it correct to say "is overflowing with" instead of "are overflowing with"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "is overflowing with" for singular subjects (e.g., "The glass is overflowing with water") and "are overflowing with" for plural subjects (e.g., "The glasses are overflowing with water").

When is it inappropriate to use "are overflowing with"?

Avoid using "are overflowing with" in contexts where a more precise or formal term is required, especially in scientific or highly technical writing. Also, avoid using it in situations where the abundance is not literal or cannot be logically quantified.