more than full

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more than full" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being excessively filled or overloaded, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The conference room was more than full, with attendees spilling out into the hallway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

You leave nourished more than full.

The New Yorker

It takes more than full bellies to make fulfilled lives.

The New Yorker

Many American airports run at more than full capacity for at least some of the time.

The Economist

Mr. Schepart said the competition was fine with him; his plate is already more than full.

The New York Times

That young man was active in Student Council, an athlete, and employed more than full time.

The Washington Post

Though he works steadily and more than full time, he earned slightly over $2,000 in 1959.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

So, despite having a more-than-full-time job, I had a lot of time to kill.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most of those who work the predawn shift go on to put in a more-than-full day at the office, leaving in the evening like everyone else.

The New York Times

Um, who exactly doesn't think that budget deficits are an issue in a more-than-full-employment economy fighting total war?

The New York Times

There are few examples of even the best entrepreneurs and CEOs managing two more-than-full-time jobs.

TechCrunch

I've been balancing various more-than-full-time music writing jobs with going out for about six years now.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more than full" to emphasize exceeding a limit or expectation, whether in a literal or figurative sense. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being exceeded.

Common error

Avoid using "more than full" when a simpler term like "full" or "complete" suffices. Overusing it can dilute its impact. Always consider if the exceeding aspect is truly relevant to the message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than full" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase. It modifies nouns to indicate a state of exceeding capacity, completeness, or the expected amount, as evidenced by the Ludwig examples where it describes physical spaces, workloads, or financial compensation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more than full" is a versatile adjectival phrase used to emphasize that something exceeds its expected capacity or completeness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While alternatives like "overflowing" or "exceeding capacity" exist, "more than full" offers a specific nuance of surpassing a standard or limit. Remember to use it judiciously, ensuring that the emphasis on exceeding is relevant to your message, avoiding overuse where simpler terms suffice. Its frequency indicates it is a useful and acceptable phrase to communicate exceeding capacity or expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeding capacity

This phrase directly indicates surpassing the maximum limit or ability to contain something.

over capacity

A shorter, more direct way to express exceeding the maximum limit.

overflowing

This term suggests a state of being so full that contents are spilling over.

brimming

Implies being filled to the very top, almost overflowing.

jam-packed

Similar to 'packed' but emphasizes the intensity of being filled.

packed

Describes something that is tightly filled, often with many items or people.

completely filled

Indicates a state of being entirely occupied or saturated.

saturated

Suggests that something is holding as much as it can possibly contain.

at maximum

Indicates reaching the highest possible level or extent.

in excess

This phrase describes something that is beyond the expected quantity or limit.

FAQs

How can I use "more than full" in a sentence?

You can use "more than full" to describe situations where something exceeds its capacity or expected limit, such as "The restaurant was "over capacity", it was "more than full"." or "His schedule is "completely filled", "more than full", with meetings."

What are some alternatives to "more than full"?

Alternatives include "overflowing", "exceeding capacity", "over capacity", or "brimming". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "more than full" instead of "full"?

No, it's not always appropriate. Use "more than full" when you want to emphasize that something isn't just full, but exceeding its expected or designed capacity. If simple fullness is the point, "full" is sufficient.

Can "more than full" be used in both literal and figurative contexts?

Yes, "more than full" can be used in both literal and figurative contexts. For instance, a container can be literally "more than full", or someone's plate may be figuratively "more than full" meaning they have many things to deal with.