cramped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cramped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a space that is small and confined, making it difficult to move around comfortably. Example: "The apartment was so cramped that there was barely enough room to walk between the furniture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

On the evening of 31 August 1854, families living in a cluster of cramped, overcrowded houses in Soho, London, were struck by a horrific calamity.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a teenager and medical student in the 1940s and 50s, he would work there, an escape from the confined, cramped home he grew up in.

The Guardian

The best seats, meanwhile, were free: the cramped balconies of the flats that tower over the east end – the east end which is just a wall.

The Guardian - Sport

The new act identifies this as a designated area for street vendors, and allocates space for them to carry out their business in a peaceful and less cramped manner.

The Guardian

That it took two years for the first Observer Magazine to appear says much about the debate that went on in the paper's cramped and tatty offices in Tudor Street, just off Fleet Street.

The Guardian

Sam Cam smiled disloyally; Downing Street has always been a little too cramped for her.

The Guardian

This follows evidence collected by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), which represents workers' rights around the world, that migrant workers were being paid lower-than-expected wages, having their passports confiscated, trafficked for forced labour and living in cramped conditions.

The Guardian

In one run-down camp, living in a cramped room housing eight people, where clothes were hanged to the walls and valued possessions were stuffed under tiny bunk beds, was Hassan, a new arrival from Ghana.

The Guardian

"The two detainees that each had a broken foot were also subjected to walling, stress positions and cramped confinement, despite the note in their interrogation plans that these specific enhanced interrogation techniques were not requested because of the medical condition of the detainees," the report says.

The Guardian

How many teachers would remain magnificent faced with 40 children in cramped conditions?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The middlemen the airlines wanted to do away with remain comfortably entrenched.In recent years the main hope for restoring airline profitability has been ancillaries: all those extra charges for meals, checked bags, less-cramped seats and the like.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical space, consider using "cramped" to convey discomfort or a lack of freedom of movement, not just small size.

Common error

Avoid using "cramped" to describe emotional states or abstract situations where physical space is not the primary concern. Instead, choose words like "restricted" or "limited".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "cramped" primarily functions to describe a space that is uncomfortably small or restricted, limiting movement or activity. Ludwig AI confirms this through its analysis of numerous examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "cramped" effectively describes spaces that are uncomfortably small, as verified by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans various contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media. While generally neutral, it's crucial to reserve it for scenarios involving physical space, avoiding its misapplication to abstract situations. Alternatives like "confined", "crowded", and "restricted" offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context. Understanding these distinctions allows for more precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confined

Emphasizes restriction and enclosure, differing in that it can also imply a lack of freedom.

overcrowded

Strongly emphasizes the excessive presence of occupants in a space.

crowded

Focuses on the presence of many people or things in a limited space.

tight

Suggests a lack of space, often to the point of being constricting.

restricted

Highlights the limitation of movement or activity due to lack of space.

congested

Implies an excessive accumulation, often used for traffic or bodily areas.

small

Simply indicates reduced size, lacking the implication of being uncomfortably so.

narrow

Describes a limited width, suggesting a lack of lateral space.

boxed-in

Figuratively suggests a feeling of being trapped or limited.

close

Indicates nearness, implying that space is limited but not necessarily uncomfortable.

FAQs

How to use "cramped" in a sentence?

You can use "cramped" to describe a space that is uncomfortably small or restricted, such as "The apartment was so "cramped" that it was hard to move around".

What can I say instead of "cramped"?

You can use alternatives like "confined", "crowded", or "restricted" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cramped conditions" or "cramped situation"?

"Cramped conditions" is generally used for physical spaces, while "difficult situation" or "restricted circumstances" is more appropriate for abstract scenarios.

What's the difference between "cramped" and "confined"?

"Cramped" typically refers to a lack of physical space causing discomfort, while "confined" can also imply a lack of freedom or being enclosed against one's will.