was very hungry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was very hungry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of extreme hunger in the past. Example: "After skipping breakfast and lunch, I was very hungry by the time dinner was served."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

She was very hungry.

Independent

He was very hungry that season.

The New Yorker

I was very hungry for all these influences".

The New York Times - Arts

"I was very hungry for these views," he said.

The Guardian

But this week I was very hungry, and needed something quick and hot.

The Guardian

ON the second day of my chemical-detox diet, I was very hungry.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

We were very hungry.

The New York Times

He's very hungry".

The New York Times

"We are very hungry.

The Guardian - Sport

I am very hungry".

The Guardian - Sport

But I'm very hungry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "was very hungry" with details about the situation (e.g., "after a long hike") to provide context and make the description more vivid.

Common error

Avoid repeating "was very hungry" too often in close proximity. Vary your descriptions with synonyms or details about the character's reactions to their hunger to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was very hungry" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a state of being. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, mainly in narrative or descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was very hungry" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a past state of hunger. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves primarily as a descriptive phrase, conveying someone's need for food. While generally neutral in register, it's adaptable to various contexts, though more formal situations might benefit from more precise language. Common synonyms include "famished" and "starving", offering ways to enhance vividness. Remember to avoid overuse for better writing impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was famished

Emphasizes a more extreme level of hunger compared to "was very hungry".

was starving

Indicates a severe lack of food, implying a longer duration of hunger.

was dying of hunger

Hyperbolically expresses extreme hunger, close to starvation.

felt ravenous

Uses the adjective 'ravenous' to describe the feeling of extreme hunger.

could eat a horse

An idiom expressing extreme hunger, implying a desire for a very large meal.

had a large appetite

Focuses on the capacity or desire for a large amount of food.

had hunger pangs

Focuses on the physical sensation of hunger.

hadn't eaten all day

Explains the reason behind the hunger, suggesting prolonged lack of food.

was craving food

Highlights the desire for specific types of food due to hunger.

was peckish

Expresses a slight degree of hunger; a desire for a snack.

FAQs

How can I make the phrase "was very hungry" sound more vivid?

You can replace "was very hungry" with more descriptive alternatives like "was famished", "felt ravenous", or "was starving" to intensify the feeling of hunger.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was very hungry"?

Yes, "was very hungry" is grammatically correct. "Was" is the past tense of the verb "to be", "very" is an adverb modifying the adjective "hungry". It follows standard English grammar rules.

What's a more formal way to say "was very hungry"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "experienced considerable hunger" or "felt extreme hunger" to convey a similar meaning as "was very hungry".

Can I use "was very hungry" in academic writing?

While "was very hungry" is grammatically correct, it might be too informal for academic writing. Consider using more precise language to describe the state of hunger, depending on the context, such as describing the nutritional deficiency or physiological response.