be crowded with

USAGE SUMMARY

"be crowded with" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a place or area that is filled with a large number of people or things, making it feel crowded and busy. Example: The streets of New York City are always crowded with tourists and locals rushing to their destinations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The bookstore used to be crowded with shoppers then.

The New Yorker

"Bethlehem doesn't deserve to be crowded with people and heavy traffic.

Independent

"We didn't want them to be crowded with graphic, contextual interpretation".

The New York Times - Travel

Any lighter punishment, "and the Ocean would be crowded with Rogues".

The New Yorker

The bureau does not like its playing field to be crowded with competitors.

The New Yorker

The paintings may be crowded with people, but their expressions are usually individualized.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The tables were crowded with laughing aristocrats.

The New Yorker

My country is crowded with gods.

The New York Times

The shops were crowded with Saturday shoppers.

The Economist

The hospital was crowded with patients.

The New York Times

A nearby highway was crowded with cars.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be crowded with", consider the specific connotation you want to convey. "Packed" suggests tightness, "teeming" suggests liveliness, while "inundated" suggests being overwhelmed.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "be crowded with" in highly formal documents. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "be replete with" or "be abundant in" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be crowded with" functions as a descriptive verb phrase. It illustrates the state of a subject being full or congested with numerous entities. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms this usage through numerous examples where it modifies nouns by describing how a place, event, or thing is filled.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be crowded with" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a state of abundance and congestion. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. It’s appropriate for general use, though formal contexts might benefit from more sophisticated synonyms. When writing, remember to consider whether the connotation of busyness is what you intend to convey or if another phrase like "be packed with" or "be teeming with" better captures your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be congested with

Focuses more on blockage and impedance due to the crowd.

be packed with

Emphasizes a very tight and dense arrangement of items or people.

be teeming with

Suggests an abundance, often implying lively movement.

be overflowing with

Highlights exceeding capacity and spilling over.

be filled with

A more general term for occupying space; lacks the intensity of "crowded".

be inundated with

Implies being overwhelmed by a large quantity.

be swarming with

Conveys a sense of rapid, often uncontrolled movement and large numbers.

be thick with

Describes density and abundance, often used for abstract concepts.

be bursting with

Suggests being full to the point of almost breaking open.

be abundant with

Indicates a plentiful supply or presence, lacking the sense of congestion.

FAQs

How can I use "be crowded with" in a sentence?

Use "be crowded with" to describe a place or area filled with a large number of people or things, such as "The market was "crowded with" shoppers."

What can I say instead of "be crowded with"?

You can use alternatives like "be packed with", "be teeming with", or "be filled with" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "be crowded with" in formal writing?

While acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "be replete with" or "be abundant in" for a more professional tone.

What is the difference between "be crowded with" and "be filled with"?

"Be crowded with" implies a sense of congestion and busyness, whereas "be filled with" is a more general term indicating that something is simply full.