filling up

USAGE SUMMARY

"filling up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe when something (usually a container) becomes filled with a substance. Example: The water bottle was quickly filling up with soda.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is filling up.

The New York Times

The restaurant was filling up.

The New York Times

Even campsites were filling up.

The New York Times

Our EOC is filling up.

The New York Times

The ballroom was filling up.

The New Yorker

They're filling up.

The Guardian - Travel

Hotels are filling up.

The New York Times

But buses going east were filling up.

The New Yorker

The car park was filling up.

Independent

Meanwhile, storage tanks were filling up rapidly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

By nightfall in Cairo, Tahrir Square was filling up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to emotional fulfillment, consider more nuanced alternatives like "finding satisfaction" or "gaining contentment" instead of "filling up" with emotions.

Common error

Avoid using "filling up" to describe abstract concepts that don't involve physical space or containers. For example, instead of saying "filling up with knowledge", consider "gaining knowledge" or "acquiring expertise".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "filling up" is that of a phrasal verb. It describes an action where something is becoming full or occupied. As Ludwig highlights, it’s widely used to describe the process of something becoming full, such as a container or space.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "filling up" functions as a phrasal verb used to describe the process of something becoming full or occupied. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, primarily in neutral contexts like news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the specific nuance you want to convey; alternatives like "becoming full" or "reaching capacity" may be more appropriate in certain scenarios. Additionally, using "filling up" in abstract contexts may sound unnatural, so opting for more direct language such as "gaining knowledge" can improve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

becoming full

Focuses on the state of transitioning to fullness rather than the action.

becoming occupied

Highlights the sense of space being taken up, applicable to rooms or schedules.

getting crowded

Specifically relates to an increase in the number of people or things in a space.

reaching capacity

Implies a limit is being approached or has been reached.

loading up

Suggests an action of adding items to a container or space.

stocking up

Emphasizes accumulating a supply of something.

replenishing

Conveys the idea of restoring something to a full state.

swelling

Suggests an increase in volume or size.

accumulating

Focuses on the gradual collection of something.

topping off

Implies adding to something already partially full.

FAQs

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

You can use "filling up" to describe something becoming full. For example, "The gas tank is "filling up"" or "The stadium was "filling up" quickly before the concert."

What are some alternatives to "filling up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "becoming full", "becoming occupied", or "reaching capacity".

Is it correct to say "filling up with emotions"?

While grammatically correct, "filling up with emotions" might sound awkward. Consider using more nuanced phrases like "overwhelmed by emotions" or "experiencing strong emotions" for better clarity.

What's the difference between "filling up" and "loading up"?

"Filling up" generally implies a space or container becoming full, while "loading up" suggests the action of adding items to a container or space, often with the intention of carrying or transporting them.