filling up with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "filling up with" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the action of something becoming full or reaching its maximum capacity. Example: The parking lot was quickly filling up with cars as more people arrived for the concert.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Three rooms were filling up with water.

The New Yorker

I'm just filling up with laughter.

The Guardian - Sport

pipeline is still filling up with companies of all types.

The New York Times

The severed ends were sitting there filling up with weeds.

The New Yorker

Mailboxes are filling up with anti-Gingrich leaflets.

The New York Times

But imagine this place filling up with people".

The New Yorker

Jordan-Hare is quickly filling up with orange and blue.

The New York Times

I can see the space filling up with people.

The Guardian

But allergy clinics are still filling up with the miserable.

The New York Times

Jean Maria Arrigo's inbox is filling up with apologies.

The Guardian

The waterfront neighborhood was filling up with high-rise buildings.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "filling up with" to describe a process where something is actively becoming full or reaching its maximum capacity. It works well for both physical and abstract contexts, such as a room filling up with people or one's mind filling up with ideas.

Common error

Avoid using "filling up with" to describe a static state of fullness. The phrase implies an ongoing process, not a completed one. For a completed state, consider using "full of" or "filled with" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "filling up with" functions as a dynamic prepositional phrase, indicating an ongoing process of something becoming full. Ludwig examples illustrate this with phrases like "Three rooms were filling up with water" and "Mailboxes are filling up with anti-Gingrich leaflets."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "filling up with" is a versatile and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe the ongoing process of something becoming full. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable and widely used in written English. It's commonly found in news and media, as well as in more informal contexts like wiki articles. The key is to use it when emphasizing the dynamic process, rather than a static state of fullness. Common alternatives include "brimming with" or "becoming replete with", each carrying slightly different nuances. Remember to avoid using it for completed actions; instead, opt for phrases like "filled with".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brimming with

Implies a fullness that is almost overflowing.

becoming replete with

This alternative uses more formal language, suggesting a state of complete fullness.

becoming crowded with

Highlights the idea of a space becoming densely occupied.

being saturated with

Focuses on the idea of something being completely soaked or permeated.

swelling with

Emphasizes an increase in size or volume due to accumulation.

accumulating in

Suggests a gradual increase or gathering of something within a space.

being inundated with

Suggests an overwhelming influx or flood of something.

congested with

Describes a state of being blocked or overcrowded.

getting loaded with

Focuses on the process of loading or charging something to its full capacity.

stocking up on

Implies gathering a supply of something.

FAQs

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

"Filling up with" describes the process of something becoming full. For example, "The stadium was filling up with fans before the game" or "Her heart was filling up with joy at the good news".

What's a good alternative to "filling up with"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "brimming with", "becoming replete with", or "getting loaded with".

Is it correct to say "filled up with" instead of "filling up with"?

While both are grammatically correct, "filled up with" implies a completed action or state, whereas "filling up with" suggests an ongoing process. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning. For example, "The glass is filled up with water" versus "The glass is filling up with water".

What's the difference between "filling up with" and "full of"?

"Filling up with" describes the dynamic action of becoming full, while "full of" describes a state of being completely occupied. For instance, "The room is filling up with smoke" (an ongoing process) versus "The room is full of smoke" (a completed state).