it was teeming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was teeming" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or environment that is full of something, often used in the context of people, animals, or activity. Example: "The market was bustling with life; it was teeming with shoppers and vendors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

By the 1820s, it was teeming with life, its levees packed with cotton and sugar.

Princeton University

It was teeming with robot enemies.

The New York Times - Magazine

When I visited Collioure, it was teeming with tourists.

The New York Times - Food

And it was teeming with life around our hotel.

The New York Times - Travel

When Zawahiri arrived, however, it was teeming with arms merchants and opium dealers.

The New Yorker

"It was teeming with people all ready to have a wonderful evening," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Now, researchers aboard the Nautilus expedition have sent down two remotely operated vehicles to explore the wreckage for the first time since its sinkage, Wired reports, and it's teeming with life sea sponges have even colonized the ship's antiair guns.

Science Magazine

It is teeming with rats.

The New York Times

It's teeming here with (hungry) theoreticians.

Princeton University

It is teeming with us".

The New York Times - Books

It is teeming with riches: gold, diamonds, timber, copper, tin and more.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was teeming" to vividly describe a place or situation filled with activity, life, or a particular element. For example, "The forest floor was teeming with insects" paints a more engaging picture than "There were many insects on the forest floor."

Common error

While "it was teeming" is appropriate for many contexts, avoid overuse in formal or scientific writing. More precise language might be necessary for clarity and accuracy, such as "The sample contained a high concentration of bacteria" instead of "It was teeming with bacteria."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was teeming" functions as a descriptive expression, providing a vivid depiction of a scene or object characterized by abundance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is deemed usable and correct in the English language.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was teeming" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to vividly depict abundance and activity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is a correct and usable part of the English language. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as in academic writing, to create a strong impression of liveliness or overwhelming quantity. While synonyms like "it was overflowing" and "it was swarming" exist, "it was teeming" offers a dynamic nuance. Remember to use it judiciously in formal contexts where more precise language might be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was overflowing

Focuses on the idea of exceeding capacity, similar to teeming in implying abundance.

it was swarming

Suggests a large number of living things moving around, closely related to teeming when referring to animals or people.

it was packed

Emphasizes the crowded nature of a place, akin to teeming with people.

it was brimming

Implies being full to the point of overflowing, similar to teeming in its sense of abundance.

it was abundant

Directly states that there was a large quantity of something, like teeming.

it was crawling

Conveys a sense of being covered with something, often insects or people, like teeming.

it was rich with

Highlights the presence of desirable or valuable things in abundance, similar to teeming.

it was full of life

Emphasizes the vibrancy and activity present, echoing teeming's implication of liveliness.

it was heavily populated

Specifically indicates a large number of inhabitants, similar to teeming with people.

it was bursting with

Implies being filled to capacity and ready to break open, similar to teeming in suggesting abundance.

FAQs

How can I use "it was teeming" in a sentence?

Use "it was teeming" to describe a place or thing that is full of something. For example: "The river "it was teeming" with fish" or "The city "it was teeming" with tourists."

What are some synonyms for "it was teeming"?

Synonyms include "it was overflowing", "it was swarming", and "it was packed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "it was teeming with" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was teeming with" is grammatically correct. The preposition "with" is typically used to specify what something is teeming with. For example, "It was teeming with life."

What's the difference between "it was teeming" and "it was full of"?

While both phrases indicate abundance, "it was teeming" suggests a more dynamic and active presence. "It was full of" simply indicates that something is filled to capacity, whereas "it was teeming" implies a vibrant and often moving abundance.