he was drunk

USAGE SUMMARY

"He was drunk" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this sentence in a variety of contexts, such as when you are talking about an event or describing the behaviour of someone. For example: "At the party last night, he was drunk and making a scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Granted," added Mandredi, "he was drunk".

Huffington Post

Either that, or he was drunk.

The Guardian - Music

I don't think he was drunk.

The New York Times

"He was drunk off of country liquor".

The New York Times

They also say he was drunk.

The Economist

He was drunk, they said.

The New York Times

He was drunk and stoned.

The New York Times

He was Drunk in Love.

The New Yorker

"Or maybe he was drunk".

The New York Times - Sports

It doesn't matter if he was drunk.

Independent

He was drunk as a skunk".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone being drunk, be mindful of the context and audience. Choose language that is appropriate for the situation and avoid using overly judgmental or stigmatizing terms.

Common error

While euphemisms can soften the impact, avoid using so many that the original meaning is obscured. Clarity is key; ensure your reader understands the person was, in fact, drunk.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was drunk" functions as a predicate adjective, where "was" is a linking verb connecting the subject "he" to the adjective "drunk", which describes his state. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in a wide range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was drunk" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe someone's state of intoxication. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, though perhaps less formal ones. The phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for news reporting and general conversation, and the frequency analysis reveals its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Wiki. For more formal or clinical settings, alternatives like "he was intoxicated" may be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was inebriated

Formal alternative emphasizing a state of intoxication.

he was intoxicated

Clinical and formal term for being under the influence of alcohol.

he had too much to drink

Focuses on the action leading to the state of drunkenness.

he was tipsy

Indicates a mild state of drunkenness.

he was plastered

Informal expression for being very drunk.

he was three sheets to the wind

Figurative expression indicating extreme drunkenness.

he was seeing double

Describes a common symptom of being drunk.

he was under the influence

General term for being affected by alcohol or drugs.

he'd been drinking

Suggests recent alcohol consumption without specifying the level of intoxication.

he was out of it

Vague expression indicating a lack of awareness, possibly due to alcohol.

FAQs

How can I describe someone being drunk without using the phrase "he was drunk"?

You can use alternatives like "he was intoxicated", "he was inebriated", or "he had too much to drink" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "he was drunk" in formal writing?

While "he was drunk" is generally understood, formal writing may benefit from more precise or clinical language. Consider using phrases like "he was intoxicated" or specifying the level of impairment.

What's the difference between "he was drunk" and "he was tipsy"?

"He was drunk" implies a significant level of intoxication, while "he was tipsy" suggests a mild state of drunkenness. The choice depends on the degree of impairment you wish to convey.

Are there any negative connotations associated with saying "he was drunk"?

Yes, the phrase "he was drunk" can carry negative connotations, especially if it implies irresponsible or harmful behavior. Be mindful of the context and potential implications when using this phrase.