teeming with

USAGE SUMMARY

"teeming with" is a perfectly valid phrase that can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a place or situation that is full of something. For example, "The city streets were teeming with people on the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're teeming with stuff.

The New York Times

Afghanistan was teeming with opportunists.

The New Yorker

Platforms were teeming with people.

The Economist

It is teeming with rats.

The New York Times

It was teeming with robot enemies.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is a place teeming with snakes.

The New York Times

Slums too are teeming with technology.

The Economist

The rivers are teeming with fish.

The Economist

This memoir is teeming with fascinating detail.

The New York Times - Books

This town is teeming with Bermuda Triangles.

The New Yorker

Intellectual life was teeming with grand ideas.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "teeming with" to vividly describe environments or situations that are full of life, activity, or elements. This phrase adds color and energy to your descriptions, making them more engaging for the reader.

Common error

While "teeming with" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or technical writing where more precise language might be preferred. Reserve it for instances where you want to convey a sense of lively abundance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "teeming with" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that something is abundantly full of something else, often implying a sense of liveliness or activity, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "teeming with" is a descriptive phrase used to vividly portray abundance, often implying liveliness or activity. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as academic writing. While versatile, it's best to use it when you want to emphasize a vibrant fullness. Alternatives like "abounding in" or "overflowing with" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember to avoid overusing it in overly formal contexts and ensure you always use the correct preposition "with".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abounding in

Focuses more on the quality of abundance, suggesting a rich supply.

overflowing with

Implies an excess, almost beyond capacity.

packed with

Suggests a tight and often crowded filling.

brimming with

Conveys a sense of fullness and readiness to spill over.

swarming with

Emphasizes a large, moving crowd, often of insects or small creatures.

crawling with

Suggests a slow, often unpleasant movement of many small creatures.

rich in

Highlights the presence of a valuable or desirable element in abundance.

replete with

Formal and emphasizes a satisfying fullness.

laden with

Suggests a heavy burden or filling.

thick with

Suggests a dense concentration of something, often implying difficulty in movement or visibility.

FAQs

How can I use "teeming with" in a sentence?

Use "teeming with" to describe a place or situation filled with something. For example, "The forest was teeming with wildlife" or "The city streets were teeming with tourists".

What are some alternatives to "teeming with"?

You can use alternatives like "abounding in", "overflowing with", or "packed with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "teeming of" instead of "teeming with"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "teeming" is "with". "Teeming of" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "teeming with".

How does "teeming with" differ from "full of"?

"Teeming with" suggests a vibrant abundance, often implying life or activity. While "full of" is a general term for being filled, "teeming with" adds a layer of energy and dynamism. For example, saying "The pond is full of water" is factual, but "The pond is teeming with life" evokes a sense of vibrant ecosystem.