cluttered with boxes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cluttered with boxes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a space that is filled or disorganized due to the presence of many boxes. Example: "The garage was cluttered with boxes, making it difficult to find the tools I needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The base of the fire pole was cluttered with boxes of serving dishes.

The New York Times

An old Biedermeier daybed stands against the back wall, cluttered with boxes and piles of paper.

The New Yorker

The rest of the team gathered in Ms. Plaza's office, which was still cluttered with boxes from the previous counselor.

The New York Times

The living room floor, where she receives her collectors, is cluttered with boxes of 50-year-old silk in every imaginable hue.

The New York Times - Travel

We meet in his office, an unostentatious room cluttered with boxes of Moët champagne, which he gives to office staff when it's their birthday.

The Guardian - Business

His office, which is in donated space, cluttered with boxes of Parks Department stationery, does not even have a computer yet.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Her desk was always cluttered with trinkets, boxes, letters, odd earrings.

The Guardian

The modern Slater factory is cluttered with packing boxes and reams of paper.

The New York Times

The movie begins with Mr. Mekas talking into the camera about not being able to sleep and then moving about his new loft, which is cluttered with cardboard boxes.

The New York Times

While the Kmart shop in the same mall is dingy, with narrow aisles cluttered with cardboard boxes and broken clothes racks, the Target store is spacious, brightly lit and clean.

The Economist

(Reporters who walked up to their house found a front porch "cluttered with empty boxes and a snow sled, while toys, a barbecue grill and a weathered hot tub sat in the fenced backyard," according to the Times).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene, use "cluttered with boxes" to vividly depict a lack of space or organization. For example, "The attic, usually a storage haven, was now cluttered with boxes of old family mementos."

Common error

Avoid using "cluttered with boxes" too frequently in formal or professional contexts. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary like "overstocked", "disorganized", or "filled" to maintain a professional tone. This phrase is perfectly acceptable, however, using it repetitively can feel informal or imprecise in more formal communications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cluttered with boxes" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the state or condition of a space or object, indicating that it is filled with boxes in a disorganized manner. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cluttered with boxes" is a grammatically sound and descriptive way to depict a space filled with boxes in a disorganized fashion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally considered correct for standard English usage. While common, it should be used thoughtfully in formal writing, balancing descriptive detail with appropriate tone. Alternatives such as "filled with boxes" or "packed with boxes", can be considered depending on context. Predominantly found in News & Media and general writing, "cluttered with boxes" serves a clear communicative purpose in providing vivid descriptive detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

filled with boxes

Uses a more common verb but retains the same meaning of being full of boxes.

packed with boxes

Similar to "filled with boxes" but can imply a tighter or more efficient packing.

stuffed with boxes

Suggests the space is completely full to capacity with boxes.

overrun with boxes

Suggests a more negative connotation of boxes taking over a space.

overflowing with boxes

Suggests there are so many boxes they cannot be contained.

jammed with boxes

Conveys a sense of being tightly packed and difficult to move around.

strewn with boxes

Implies boxes are scattered randomly rather than neatly stacked or organized.

piled up with boxes

Implies a haphazard and disorganized arrangement of boxes.

stacked high with boxes

Emphasizes the vertical arrangement and quantity of boxes.

littered with boxes

Carries a stronger negative connotation, suggesting boxes are unwanted or creating a mess.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is "cluttered with boxes"?

When something is described as "cluttered with boxes", it means that a space is filled with boxes in a disorganized way, often making it difficult to move around or find things.

What are some alternatives to saying "cluttered with boxes"?

You can use alternatives like "filled with boxes", "packed with boxes", or "overrun with boxes" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say something is "cluttered with boxes"?

Yes, "cluttered with boxes" is grammatically correct. "Cluttered" is an adjective describing the state of something, and "with boxes" specifies what it is cluttered with.

How can I use "cluttered with boxes" in a sentence?

You can use "cluttered with boxes" in a sentence like this: "The spare room was cluttered with boxes of old clothes and forgotten toys." or "The hallway was cluttered with boxes, making it difficult to navigate."