filled up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "filled up" is a correct and usable part of written English.
You can use it to talk about when one has filled something to capacity. For example, "The storage shed was filled up with all of our holiday decorations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The terabyte drive filled up.

The New York Times - Tech

The store filled up immediately.

The New York Times

The theatres filled up again.

The New Yorker

The dance floor filled up.

The Economist

We're filled up".

The New York Times

The floor filled up.

The New Yorker

The guest list has quickly filled up.

The New Yorker

"All the lanes are filled up.

The New York Times

Hollywood filled up with instant venture capitalists.

The Economist

They filled up my Facebook page.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I filled up a bottle of water.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "filled up" to describe not only physical spaces but also abstract concepts like schedules or emotional states, such as, "Her life filled up with joy".

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by always specifying what is being filled. Saying simply, "It filled up" lacks clarity. Instead, specify, "The application form filled up with personal information" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "filled up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating that something has reached its maximum capacity or has become completely occupied. As Ludwig confirms, it is a common and usable part of written English. The examples provided show it is often used to describe physical spaces and containers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "filled up" is a very common phrasal verb used to describe something reaching its maximum capacity, whether physically or figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, the phrase also appears in Scientific and Formal & Business contexts. To ensure clarity, always specify what is being filled. For alternative expressions, consider using "completely full" or "reached capacity" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely full

This phrase emphasizes the state of being entirely occupied, similar to "filled up".

reached capacity

This alternative indicates that the maximum limit has been attained, akin to something being "filled up".

fully occupied

This signifies that all available spaces or positions are taken, like a venue that's "filled up".

at maximum

This denotes the highest possible level or quantity, similar to a container that's "filled up" to its limit.

overflowing

Implies being filled to the point of spilling over, a more extreme state of being "filled up".

packed

Conveys a sense of being densely filled, often with people, comparable to a room that's "filled up".

brimming

Implies being filled to the top, ready to overflow, akin to a container that's "filled up".

saturated

Suggests that something is completely soaked or imbued, similar to being "filled up" in a figurative sense.

taken up

Indicates that all available space has been used, akin to a schedule that's "filled up" with appointments.

loaded up

Suggests that something has been completely loaded or stocked, similar to a truck that's "filled up" with goods.

FAQs

How can I use "filled up" in a sentence?

You can use "filled up" to describe something becoming full, like "The gas tank "filled up" quickly at the station" or "The class "filled up" within hours of registration opening".

What's a good alternative to using "filled up"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "reached capacity", "became full", or "was occupied" instead of "filled up".

Is it correct to say "filled up to the brim"?

Yes, "filled up to the brim" is a correct and more emphatic way to say something is completely full, almost overflowing.

What is the difference between "filled up" and "filling up"?

"Filled up" describes a completed state of being full, while "filling up" describes the ongoing process of becoming full. For example, "The glass is "filled up"" versus "The glass is "filling up"".