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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
teems with
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"teems with" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is full of something else. Example: The waters of the Pacific Ocean teem with fish.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Academia
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
His book positively teems with people.
News & Media
The book teems with similar ambiguities.
News & Media
The South Atlantic teems with marine life.
News & Media
Today it teems with life.
News & Media
Inside, the National teems with activity.
News & Media
The novel teems with biblical references.
Encyclopedias
The blogosphere teems with best-of lists.
News & Media
Red Dead Redemption 2 teems with life.
News & Media
It teems with life, abounds with colour.
News & Media
Blacked-out London teems with courting couples.
News & Media
New York City teems with questionable urban legends.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "teems with" to create a vivid image of abundance, especially when describing natural environments, books, or places that are full of life or detail. For instance, instead of saying "The garden is full of bees", try "The garden "teems with" bees."
Common error
While "teems with" is generally acceptable, it can sound less professional in formal or technical writing. In such cases, consider alternatives like "abounds in" or "is rich in" to maintain a more serious tone.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "teems with" functions as a prepositional phrase, used to describe a subject as being full of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct and common way to emphasize abundance. For instance, "The South Atlantic "teems with" marine life."
Frequent in
News & Media
64%
Academia
17%
Science
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
3%
Formal & Business
3%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "teems with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey abundance, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a prepositional phrase, adding vividness to descriptions. While versatile, it is slightly less formal and should be used judiciously in highly professional contexts. The phrase appears commonly in news, academic writing, and scientific articles. Examples include "The South Atlantic "teems with" marine life" and "The novel "teems with" biblical references". Alternatives include "abounds in" and "is full of". For maximum impact, use "teems with" when you want to emphasize a place or subject is vibrantly full of something.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
abounds in
Focuses on the abundance of something in a location or situation; slightly more formal than "teems with".
is full of
A more direct and simpler way to express the presence of a large quantity of something; less vivid than "teems with".
is rich in
Emphasizes the richness or high concentration of a particular element or quality; often used in a descriptive context.
overflows with
Suggests an overabundance, to the point of spilling over; more dramatic and emphatic than "teems with".
brims with
Implies being filled to the very top, often used metaphorically for emotions or ideas.
is replete with
A more formal and literary way to indicate that something is abundantly supplied or filled.
is packed with
Suggests a tight, dense filling; often used for physical spaces or objects.
is crawling with
Specifically implies being overrun with living creatures, often insects; has a slightly negative connotation.
is laden with
Suggests something is heavily loaded or burdened with something, often with a sense of weight.
is alive with
Implies a vibrant, energetic presence, often used for sounds or activities.
FAQs
How can I use "teems with" in a sentence?
Use "teems with" to describe something that is full of or abundant in something else. For example, "The forest "teems with" wildlife" or "The book "teems with" interesting characters".
What are some synonyms for "teems with"?
Alternatives to "teems with" include "abounds in", "is full of", or "overflows with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Is it appropriate to use "teems with" in formal writing?
While generally acceptable, "teems with" may sound less formal than other options. Consider alternatives like "is replete with" or "is rich in" for a more professional tone.
What is the difference between "teems with" and "is crawling with"?
"Teems with" generally indicates abundance in a positive or neutral way, while "is crawling with" suggests a large number of something undesirable, like insects.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested