populated by

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "populated by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a place, typically a geographic area, that is filled with people or creatures. For example, "The city was densely populated by humans and animals alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

29 Which city is populated by Leodensians?

Independent

The class was populated by young professionals.

The New Yorker

Mine is populated by politics and history.

The Guardian - Tech

There's the Stayfree house, populated by hardline feminists.

The Guardian - Books

America is a looser land, populated by immigrants from everywhere.

The New York Times - Arts

Areas populated by civilians were turned into free-fire zones.

The Guardian

Finally, the country's center is populated by Shiite Persian speakers.

The New York Times

The Arctic region is mainly populated by nomadic reindeer herders.

The Guardian

Ordinary existence, to the death-haunted, is populated by ghosts.

The New Yorker

Populated by goats, with people few and far between.

The Guardian

"Boxing gets a bad rap as being populated by thugs".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "populated by" to describe a region, area, or abstract space and its inhabitants, whether people, animals, or objects. For instance, "The forest was populated by diverse wildlife" or "The online forum is populated by active users."

Common error

Avoid using "populated by" to describe qualities or characteristics. It's more appropriate to say "The argument was filled with inaccuracies" rather than "The argument was populated by inaccuracies".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "populated by" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the inhabitants or elements that occupy a particular space or entity. Ludwig AI examples showcase its usage across diverse contexts, from geographical regions to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "populated by" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe what fills or inhabits a space, area, or entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts. The examples highlight its frequent use in news and media, science, and encyclopedias. While "populated by" is generally interchangeable with alternatives like "inhabited by" and "filled with", it's important to use it appropriately, primarily in spatial or descriptive contexts. Avoid using it to describe qualities; instead, opt for more suitable alternatives like "characterized by". With its widespread usage and clear meaning, "populated by" remains a valuable tool for describing the composition of a space or entity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inhabited by

Direct synonym, emphasizes the act of dwelling or residing.

peopled by

Similar to populated, but emphasizes the human element.

occupied by

Suggests a physical presence and possible control or dominance.

filled with

Focuses on the act of being full or containing something.

teeming with

Implies an abundance or overflow of inhabitants.

densely settled by

Highlights the concentration of inhabitants in a specific area.

colonized by

Indicates the establishment of a settlement or group in a new region.

characterized by

Emphasizes a defining feature in terms of its residents.

containing

Neutral term to denote that a place includes inhabitants.

staffed by

Refers specifically to the personnel or employees present in a place.

FAQs

How can I use "populated by" in a sentence?

Use "populated by" to describe a space or area that is filled with inhabitants. For example, "The island is "populated by" various species of birds".

What's the difference between "inhabited by" and "populated by"?

"Inhabited by" and "populated by" are largely interchangeable, but "populated by" often implies a greater density or number of inhabitants. "Inhabited" simply means lived in.

What can I say instead of "populated by"?

You can use alternatives like "inhabited by", "occupied by", or "filled with" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "populated by" ideas or concepts?

While technically acceptable, it's generally better to use "filled with" or "characterized by" when referring to abstract concepts. For example, "The book was filled with complex ideas" sounds more natural than "The book was populated by complex ideas".