full of rips

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "full of rips" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something, typically clothing or fabric, that has multiple tears or openings. Example: "His jeans were old and full of rips, giving them a vintage look."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The ocean was incredibly clear but also freezing cold and full of rips.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Italian cinema is full of rip-offs and cash-ins.

The Guardian - Film

I tell her her book was disgusting too - full of ripped flesh and nameless terrors made from our most inadmissible fears.

The Guardian - Books

Just one?' Then I got picked up by The Love Machine, this flowery van full of ripped smelly seats that drives couples around the resort because they're too lazy to walk".

The Guardian - Arts

We found this Jacuzzi in there and a dark space nearby full of ripped aluminum foil that must have been the sauna.

Vice

I recently wrote about the 10 Worst Rip-Offs in Travel, but 10 doesn't even begin to cover the full panoply of rip-offs across the entire travel space -- especially the airline industry.

Huffington Post

Behind the 41 deaths attributed to the Firestone 500 by government investigators were 14,000 complaints from disgruntled tire owners, their trunks full of failed, ripped, blown 500's -- like me, alive by luck.

The New York Times

The park was full of dudes ripping into cold Asahis.

Vice

Season two will be full of bombast, ripped-from-the-headlines plots, elaborate musical set pieces, eye-popping cameos, pop-culture tie-ins, and more melodrama than you can shake a stick at.

Vice

Dave Langford reviewed Dragons of Autumn Twilight for White Dwarf, suggesting that it was "inspired by an AD&D campaign full of chunks ripped bleeding from Tolkien" and complained about the "Deadly predictable questing, with stock D&D characters in familiar encounters" and ultimately reported that he "Couldn't finish this one".

Wikipedia

Ernie Fritz, who is making a documentary about CBGB, expressed the ambivalence and perplexity many old-timers feel about the arrival of a luxury retailer whose shoes probably cost more than the Ramones' full wardrobe of ripped jeans.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "full of rips" to vividly describe clothing, fabric, or other materials that have multiple tears, emphasizing their worn or damaged state. For example: "The old flag was full of rips, a testament to its age and the harsh weather it had endured."

Common error

While "full of rips" is perfectly acceptable in many situations, avoid using it excessively in formal or professional writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language to describe damage when appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The report was full of rips in logic", consider "The report contained several logical inconsistencies".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full of rips" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it has many tears or openings. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in describing physical objects like clothing or flags.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "full of rips" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase that vividly describes something with multiple tears or openings. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for informal, descriptive, and neutral contexts, but may be less appropriate in highly formal or scientific writing where more precise language is preferred. You can use alternatives such as "covered in tears" or "riddled with holes" based on the nuance you want to convey. While versatile, remember to consider the context to ensure it aligns with the overall tone and register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

covered in tears

Focuses on the abundance of tears or breaks, using 'covered' instead of 'full'.

riddled with holes

Emphasizes the presence of numerous holes rather than rips.

torn to shreds

Highlights a more severe form of damage, suggesting a complete breakdown.

damaged extensively

A general term indicating a high degree of damage without specifying the type.

in tatters

Describes something old and badly torn.

falling apart

Suggests a state of progressive disintegration.

worn and frayed

Focuses on the effects of wear and tear over time.

badly damaged

A simple and direct way to express significant damage.

showing wear

Implies visible signs of use and deterioration.

dilapidated condition

Describes something in a state of disrepair due to neglect.

FAQs

How can I use "full of rips" in a sentence?

You can use "full of rips" to describe items that have multiple tears or openings. For example, "The pirate's flag was "full of rips" after years at sea".

What are some alternatives to "full of rips"?

Some alternatives include "covered in tears", "riddled with holes", or "torn to shreds", depending on the severity and context.

Is it appropriate to use "full of rips" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "full of rips" is generally more suitable for informal or descriptive writing. In formal contexts, consider more precise alternatives like "damaged" or "worn".

What is the difference between "full of rips" and "in tatters"?

"Full of rips" describes an item with multiple tears, while "in tatters" suggests a more extreme state of disrepair, implying the item is old and badly torn.