cram

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'cram' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to study quickly in a short period of time, or to stuff a lot of things into a small space. For example, "The night before the exam, I had to cram for hours to make sure I was well prepared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Economist

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once you've mastered the basics, you can play around with the recipe to your heart's content (and it ought to be content: many versions are very low in fat) – but the guiding principle should always be to cram as many contrasts of flavour and texture into each bite as possible, while retaining the roll's elegant appearance (ie don't get too Man v Food about it).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Around 7.5 million commuters cram themselves into local trains every day and the fledgling metro and monorail are unlikely to make a perceptible difference in the near future.

The Guardian

Instead of the imaginative, integrated development plan drawn up by Charles Correa, the renowned Mumbai-based architect, the former mill-hub of Lalbaug-Parel is a soulless cram of skyscrapers, mall-to-mall carpeting and snarled traffic clashing with the tenements housing the dispossessed worker families.

The Guardian

I'm From Barcelona (who are actually from Sweden), meanwhile, have to cram 28 people on to a moving vehicle.

The Guardian - Music

It is possible to remain an advocate for banning players for extreme violent conduct – possibly via an expert group that would sit in a similar manner to the dubious goals panel – while believing that banning Meekings for a handball would open a can of worms that would be impossible to cram the lid back on to.

The Guardian - Sport

Dozens will cram into a winter hidey-hole to keep warm overnight," he said.

The Guardian

One Cambridge student, who wanted to remain anonymous, says: "We have to cram about 10 weeks' worth of work into an eight-week term, while also doing extracurricular activities like plays and rowing.

The Guardian

Katie Ghose, head of the ERS, said the problem was the UK "trying to cram multi-party politics into an old fashioned electoral system", which led to many people frustrated at not seeing their choices reflected in parliament.

The Guardian

It is difficult to cram 200 years of history into a few small rooms; many artists are represented only by a single work, while equally worthy candidates are not represented at all.

The Economist

This lets broadcasters cram dozens of channels into a thin slice of bandwidth.

The Economist

In fact, if either class of pensioners rejects the deal, even a cram down cannot force it through.In this section A memo to Obama Cram down Stupid season What's the matter with Arizona?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing intense studying, be mindful of the negative connotations associated with "cram". Consider alternative phrasing if you want to avoid implying inadequate preparation or superficial learning.

Common error

While "cram" is acceptable in many contexts, it can sound informal or colloquial in academic or professional writing. Opt for more precise verbs like "consolidate", "review extensively", or "expedite study" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cram" is as a verb, used to describe the action of filling something tightly or studying intensely in a short period. As Ludwig AI explained, it can also function as a noun referring to information hastily memorized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "cram" is a versatile term used both as a verb and a noun, as Ludwig AI highlighted, with meanings ranging from filling something tightly to studying intensely in a short period. Analysis of numerous examples from sources like The Economist and The Guardian reveals that it is frequently employed in News & Media. While grammatically correct, it's essential to consider the level of formality required by the context; in academic or professional settings, more precise alternatives may be more appropriate. When referring to "cramming" for an exam, synonyms like "study intensively" or "revise" may work better, as shown above.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

study intensely in a short period of time

It's a bit longer, but very close in meaning to the academic use of "cram".

study intensively

Focuses on the act of concentrated learning, similar to the academic meaning of "cram".

stuff

Implies filling something tightly, similar to "cram" but without necessarily implying order or organization.

memorize quickly

Highlights the rapid memorization aspect of "cramming" for an exam.

pack

Suggests arranging items carefully to fit as much as possible into a space, akin to "cram" but with more emphasis on neatness.

jam

Conveys forcing something into a space, similar to "cram", often with difficulty.

learn by rote

Emphasizes memorizing without necessarily understanding, similar to "cramming".

squeeze

Indicates pressing something into a tight space, like "cram", but highlights the act of compressing.

force

Emphasizes the effort required to put something into a space, mirroring "cram"'s sense of overcoming resistance.

throng

Describes a large number of people crowding together, related to "cram"'s sense of filling a space.

FAQs

How to use "cram" in a sentence?

"Cram" can be used to describe filling something tightly, like "I had to cram all my clothes into one suitcase", or to describe studying intensely in a short period, such as "I need to cram for my history exam tonight".

What can I say instead of "cram" when referring to studying?

You can use alternatives like "study intensively", "revise", or "review" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cram" or "crammed"?

Both are correct, but they are different verb forms. "Cram" is the present tense form, while "crammed" is the past tense or past participle. For example, "I will cram for the exam" versus "I crammed all night before the test".

What's the difference between "cram" and "study"?

"Cram" implies studying intensely in a short period, often last-minute, while "study" is a more general term for learning or reviewing material over a longer period.