mostly full

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly full" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not completely full but is close to being so, such as a container or a space. Example: "The glass was mostly full, with just a little room left at the top."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The sections were mostly full by kickoff.

The New York Times - Sports

But I was mostly full of it.

The New Yorker

They had a mostly full ship.

The New York Times

Its extensive bookstore is mostly full of books.

The New York Times - Arts

The stadiums were mostly full and visitors were left with a good impression of the country.

The Economist

The No. 2 and No. 3 Courts were mostly full by the third set.

The New York Times - Sports

It took only 15 minutes for the mound to be mostly full.

The New York Times - Sports

The halls were mostly full, even for events taking place at odd hours of the morning and afternoon.

The New Yorker

The set list, mostly full of the 1968-78 Stones repertory, contained few surprises, outside of "Going Down".

The New York Times - Arts

Except for morning and evening rushes, when trains are mostly full, runs are typically half occupied or less.

The New York Times

Mostly full of diagrams and pictures of strong, angry virgins in position to start our head aching.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mostly full" to provide a clear and easily understandable description of partial fullness. It is suitable for a broad range of contexts, from describing a glass of water to the occupancy of a venue.

Common error

While "mostly full" is generally acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. In formal or scientific writing, consider using more precise terms or quantifiable descriptions (e.g., "75% full" or "nearly complete") for greater accuracy and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly full" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate the degree to which something is filled or occupied. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a common way to express that something is largely, but not entirely, full.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mostly full" is a grammatically correct and widely used adjective phrase that describes something that is largely, but not completely, filled. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for a range of contexts, particularly in news, media, and general conversation. While versatile, more precise language might be preferable in formal or scientific writing. Its function is primarily descriptive, offering an approximate indication of quantity. Common alternatives include "almost full" and "nearly full". Overusing "mostly full" can be a stylistic pitfall, but overall, as Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful phrase in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost full

Indicates a slightly higher degree of fullness than "mostly full".

nearly full

Similar in meaning to "almost full", suggesting very close to being completely filled.

almost completely full

Highlights how near something is to being completely filled.

largely full

Emphasizes the substantial portion that is filled.

predominantly full

Highlights that the full aspect is the most noticeable characteristic.

primarily full

Indicates that fullness is the main characteristic.

substantially full

Stresses the significant amount that is filled.

for the most part full

A more verbose way of saying "mostly full", adding a slight emphasis.

to a great extent full

Similar to "largely full", but with a slightly more formal tone.

about 3/4 full

Provides a more specific quantification of the fullness.

FAQs

What does "mostly full" mean?

The phrase "mostly full" means that something is largely, but not completely, filled. It suggests that the item or space in question is close to being full but still has some room or capacity remaining.

What can I say instead of "mostly full"?

You can use alternatives like "almost full", "nearly full", or "largely full" depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "mostly full"?

Yes, it is correct and common to use "mostly full" in written and spoken English. It is a perfectly acceptable way to describe something that is not completely full but is close to being so.

When is it appropriate to use "mostly full"?

It's appropriate to use "mostly full" in a variety of contexts, such as describing the contents of a container, the occupancy of a room or venue, or the state of a process that is near completion. It is suitable for both informal and neutral writing styles.