be overflowing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be overflowing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is full to the point of spilling over, often in a figurative sense, such as emotions or abundance. Example: "Her heart seemed to be overflowing with joy at the news." Alternative expressions include "be brimming," "be teeming," and "be filled to capacity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

These days, the toilet seems to be overflowing.

The New York Times

Your ego seems to be overflowing its banks.

The New Yorker

IF the town of Kent were a river it would be overflowing its banks.

The New York Times

[5] Fruits and vegetables should and could be overflowing in classrooms, but that would benefit only kids.

The New York Times

In summer, it will be overflowing with pink rhubarb, broad beans, sweetcorn, cherry tomatoes, radishes, red batavia lettuce and herbs.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

THE streets of Turin may be overflowing with Olympics visitors for a few weeks, but they always overflow with chocolate.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Its trains are overflowing.

The Economist

Treasury coffers are overflowing.

The Economist

Village tanks are overflowing.

The New York Times

The toilets were overflowing.

The New Yorker

Certainly, the room was overflowing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be overflowing" to vividly depict situations where something is abundant or exceeding its limits. This can apply to physical spaces, emotions, or abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "be overflowing" in contexts where a more precise term would better convey the intended meaning. For instance, use "be filled" instead of "be overflowing" when simply stating that something is full without implying excess.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be overflowing" typically functions as part of a verb phrase, often in conjunction with auxiliary verbs (e.g., "will be", "seems to"). According to Ludwig, it describes a state of exceeding capacity or abundance, either literally or figuratively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be overflowing" is a versatile and common expression used to describe exceeding capacity or abundance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it frequently appears in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like ""be brimming"" or ""be teeming"" exist, "be overflowing" effectively conveys a sense of excess. Remember to consider the context carefully to ensure that the phrase is appropriate and that a more precise term is not preferable. With its neutral register and clear meaning, "be overflowing" remains a valuable tool for descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be brimming

Implies fullness to the point of almost overflowing, focusing on containment rather than spillage.

be teeming

Suggests being full of something, often life or activity, rather than a liquid.

be packed

Indicates being tightly filled, often with people or objects.

be swarming

Emphasizes movement and a large number of entities filling a space.

be inundated

Highlights being overwhelmed with something, similar to being flooded.

be saturated

Suggests complete absorption or impregnation, often with liquid or information.

be flooded

Implies being covered or overwhelmed by a large amount of something, often water or light.

be bursting

Indicates being so full that there's a sense of impending rupture.

be awash

Suggests being covered with something, often in a fluid or metaphorical sense.

be overloaded

Indicates exceeding capacity, often in a system or structure.

FAQs

How can I use "be overflowing" in a sentence?

You can use "be overflowing" to describe a container that's full to the point of spilling, or metaphorically to describe something abundant. For instance, "The river will be overflowing after the heavy rains" or "Her heart seemed to be overflowing with joy".

What are some alternatives to "be overflowing"?

Alternatives include "be brimming", "be teeming", or "be packed", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "is overflowing" instead of "be overflowing"?

Yes, "is overflowing" is a correct and common usage, particularly when describing a current state. "Be overflowing" is typically used in future or hypothetical contexts, or as part of a more complex verb phrase (e.g., "will be overflowing", "seems to be overflowing").

Which is more appropriate, "be overflowing with" or "be overflowing with"?

Both phrases are grammatically valid; however, the choice depends on the intended meaning. The phrase "be overflowing with" describes a subject overflowing because of something else, while it doesn't make sense to use "be overflowing" by itself.