was thick with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was thick with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or environment that is filled with a particular substance or quality, often creating a strong or overwhelming presence. Example: "The air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers in the garden."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Everything was thick with dust.

The New Yorker

The air was thick with incense.

The New Yorker

The room was thick with cigarette smoke.

The New York Times - Travel

The air was thick with testosterone".

The Guardian

The street was thick with pilgrims.

The New Yorker

The Emirates air was thick with frustration.

The Guardian - Sport

His entire face was thick with paint.

The New York Times - Sports

The air was thick with the smell.

The New Yorker

The air was thick with pride.

The New York Times

It was thick with the Mermaid festival revelers.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was winter in Pennsylvania and the ground was thick with snow.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was thick with" to vividly describe an atmosphere or environment, especially when conveying a sense of strong presence or saturation. For example, "The air was thick with anticipation" creates a more evocative image than "The air was full of anticipation".

Common error

Avoid using "was thick with" in contexts where a more precise or literal description would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The report was thick with data", consider saying "The report contained a large amount of data" or "The report was data-heavy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was thick with" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its state. It indicates that something is saturated or abundant with a particular substance, quality, or emotion. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was thick with" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to vividly describe an environment or atmosphere saturated with a particular substance, quality, or emotion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While suitable for a wide range of contexts, it's particularly common in news and media. Alternatives such as "was filled with" or "was laden with" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When using it, it's important to consider if a more precise description would be appropriate in some situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was filled with

This alternative directly replaces "thick with" with "filled with", emphasizing the completeness of the filling.

was saturated with

This suggests a high degree of impregnation or permeation, implying a substance is thoroughly diffused.

was heavy with

Implies a burden or weight due to the abundance of something.

was laden with

Similar to "heavy with", this suggests something is carrying a large amount of something else.

was brimming with

Suggests fullness to the point of overflowing, focusing on the abundance and potential release.

was abundant in

Shifts the focus to the presence of something in large quantities.

was permeated by

Highlights the way a quality or substance spreads through and affects everything.

was overflowing with

Emphasizes an excess, suggesting more than what is typically expected or contained.

was rich in

Indicates a high concentration of a particular element or quality.

was steeped in

Suggests something is deeply immersed or saturated, implying a long or intense exposure.

FAQs

How can I use "was thick with" in a sentence?

Use "was thick with" to describe an environment or atmosphere saturated with a particular quality, substance, or emotion. For example: "The air "was thick with the smell of" pine needles" or "The room "was thick with tension"".

What are some alternatives to "was thick with"?

Some alternatives include "was filled with", "was heavy with", "was laden with", or "was saturated with". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "was thick with" in formal writing?

Yes, "was thick with" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when aiming to create a vivid or descriptive effect. However, consider whether a more precise or literal alternative might be more suitable in certain contexts, especially scientific writing.

What is the difference between "was thick with" and "was full of"?

"Was thick with" often implies a denser or more intense presence than "was full of". While both phrases indicate abundance, "was thick with" suggests a more overwhelming or saturated state. For example, "The air "was thick with smoke"" suggests a more oppressive atmosphere than "The air "was full of smoke"".