very crowded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very crowded" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to describe a place or situation that has a lot of people or things in a confined space. Example: "The train was very crowded, with people standing shoulder to shoulder in the narrow aisle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was very crowded.

The New York Times

lt is already very crowded.

The New Yorker

It was very crowded in the bus.

The New Yorker

And streets get very crowded".

The New York Times

It was not very crowded".

The New York Times

As usual, the stadium wasn't very crowded.

The New Yorker

"And it did get very crowded.

The New York Times

It's very crowded with friends and family.

The Guardian - Film

But the bit near Earth is also very crowded.

The Economist

The subway was very crowded for a Saturday.

The New York Times

Works wonders at very crowded stations - eg Canary Wharf".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a location, specify why it is "very crowded". Is it due to an event, time of day, or inherent popularity?

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "very crowded" without providing specific details. Offer sensory details (noise, heat, smells) to create a more vivid impression of the crowded environment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very crowded" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the state of something being filled with a large number of people or objects. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Reference

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very crowded" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a space filled with many people or objects. As noted by Ludwig AI, its function is adjectival, serving to modify nouns and convey the state of being heavily populated. While versatile, consider adding specific details or alternative descriptions to enhance your writing. It's prevalent in "News & Media", "Wiki", and "Formal & Business" contexts. Numerous examples from reputable sources reinforce its widespread use and acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

densely packed

Emphasizes the tight arrangement and proximity of individuals or objects.

extremely congested

Replaces "crowded" with "congested", emphasizing blockage or obstruction due to the crowd.

overly full

Focuses on the space exceeding its comfortable or intended capacity.

jam-packed

An informal term emphasizing the difficulty of moving within the crowded space.

heavily populated

Shifts the focus to population density rather than the immediate feeling of being crowded.

teeming with people

Uses a more evocative description, highlighting the abundance of people.

packed like sardines

An idiom illustrating extreme closeness and lack of personal space.

bursting at the seams

An idiom suggesting the space is filled to its absolute limit.

swarming with

Conveys a sense of a large number moving around actively.

mobbed

Implies a disorderly and potentially overwhelming crowd.

FAQs

How can I use "very crowded" in a sentence?

You can use "very crowded" to describe places or events with many people such as, "The subway was "very crowded" during rush hour" or "The concert was "very crowded", making it hard to move around".

What are some alternatives to saying "very crowded"?

Instead of "very crowded", consider using phrases like "densely packed", "jam-packed", or "overly full" to describe a space filled with people or objects.

Is "very crowded" formal or informal language?

"Very crowded" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more descriptive alternatives may be preferable in formal writing.

What's the difference between "very crowded" and "crowded"?

The word "very" intensifies the adjective. So, ""very crowded"" emphasizes a higher degree of crowdedness compared to simply "crowded".