used up

USAGE SUMMARY

"used up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to mean that something is completely consumed or expended, often with the implication that it cannot be used again. For example, "We used up all of the paint in the garage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Used up by thirty.

The New Yorker

Used up my savings.

The New York Times

"The easy sites are getting used up".

The New York Times

What is actually used up is order.

The Economist

But were they being "used up"?

The Guardian - Books

"People have used up all their money.

The New York Times

My father's tears had used up mine.

The New Yorker

"This hip gets used up, an athletic career gets used up.

The New York Times - Magazine

All our sewage systems are being used up, overwhelmed.

Stanford University

When a character is used up, they have to go.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But Oliver will have used up some currency.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing resources, use "used up" to emphasize that they are fully consumed and no longer available. For example, "The company had used up all its financial reserves."

Common error

Avoid using "used up" for resources that are renewable or easily replenished. It's more appropriate for finite or exhaustible items. Saying "The sun's energy is used up" is inaccurate, as the sun continuously generates energy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used up" primarily functions as a verb phrase when it describes the action of consuming something completely, as in "We used up all the supplies". It can also function as an adjective phrase describing something that is worn out, depleted, or exhausted, as Ludwig AI suggests. In this sense, it modifies a noun, like "a used up battery".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "used up" functions both as a verb phrase and an adjective phrase, primarily indicating the complete consumption, depletion, or exhaustion of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. It is versatile across various contexts, from describing resources in news articles to indicating a state of depletion in personal narratives. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, although it is most frequently encountered in News & Media sources. When using "used up", it is best to reserve it for resources that are finite or not easily replenished, and to consider alternatives like "exhausted" or "depleted" for more formal or nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely exhausted

Focuses on the state of being completely depleted or tired, similar to being "used up".

entirely consumed

Emphasizes the consumption aspect, indicating that something has been fully eaten or utilized.

fully depleted

Highlights the state of being emptied or reduced to nothing.

consumed entirely

Like 'entirely consumed', this variant stresses the totality of the consumption.

depleted entirely

Stresses the act of complete depletion.

completely drained

Suggests a total loss of resources or energy.

all gone

A simpler way to express that something is finished or no longer available.

finished

A basic term indicating the end of something, similar to "used up" in its most general sense.

exhausted

Similar to being completely drained or depleted, but can also refer to a person's state.

spent

Indicates that something has been expended or consumed, similar to "used up".

FAQs

How can I use "used up" in a sentence?

You can use "used up" to describe something that has been completely consumed or depleted. For instance, "We've "used up" all the printer ink", or "By the end of the marathon, he felt completely "used up"".

What's a more formal way to say "used up"?

More formal alternatives to "used up" include "completely exhausted", "fully depleted", or "entirely consumed", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something is "used up" if it can be replenished?

While technically acceptable, it's more accurate to reserve "used up" for resources that are finite or not easily replenished. For renewable resources, consider terms like "depleted" or "drawn down".

What's the difference between "used up" and "exhausted"?

"Used up" typically refers to the consumption or depletion of a resource or item, whereas "exhausted" can also refer to a state of physical or mental fatigue. While both can sometimes be interchangeable, "exhausted" often carries a stronger connotation of being completely drained of energy or vitality. For example you can say "my energy is "exhausted"" when you refer to yourself, but not "I'm used up".