were brimming with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were brimming with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is full or overflowing with a particular quality or emotion. Example: "The children were brimming with excitement as they waited for the parade to begin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Its letters pages were brimming with dialogue between readers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Many were brimming with anger directed at Mr. Madoff.

The New York Times

A year ago they were brimming with selfless idealism.

The Economist

To my surprise, the train cars were brimming with travelers.

The New York Times - Travel

These lists were brimming with hope for what would never be.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The prisons were brimming with Islamist detainees, locked away in dungeons where torture was routine.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

The village should be brimming with tourists.

The Economist

Lagerfeld, however, was brimming with energy.

The New Yorker

Now I'm brimming with energy.

The New Yorker

Yankee Stadium was brimming with hope.

The New York Times - Sports

It's brimming with hotels.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were brimming with" to vividly describe a state of overflowing or abundance, particularly when emphasizing an emotional or qualitative aspect. For example, "Their eyes were brimming with tears" paints a more evocative picture than "They were sad."

Common error

While "were brimming with" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise and neutral language such as "contained a high concentration of" or "exhibited an abundance of" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were brimming with" functions as a descriptive verb phrase, indicating that a subject is filled to capacity with a particular quality, emotion, or substance. It's frequently used to create a vivid and evocative image, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were brimming with" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that describes a state of being full or overflowing, particularly with a specific emotion, quality, or substance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts. While suitable for general writing and news media, more formal alternatives may be preferred in scientific or highly technical writing. The phrase's frequency is very common and its communicative purpose is to emphasize the intensity or abundance of a described attribute. Authoritative sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were overflowing with

Emphasizes an even greater degree of fullness than "were brimming with".

were filled to the brim with

Highlights the idea of being completely full, leaving no empty space.

were full of

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the same idea.

were abundant in

Focuses on the plentiful presence of something, rather than the state of being full.

were rich in

Suggests a high concentration or abundance of a valuable or desirable quality.

were packed with

Emphasizes the density and compactness of the filling.

were saturated with

Implies that something is completely permeated or soaked with something else.

were replete with

A more formal way of saying "were full of" or "were filled with".

were teeming with

Indicates a large number of something, often living things, in a particular place.

were loaded with

Highlights the quantity of items, suggesting a large and perhaps excessive amount.

FAQs

How can I use "were brimming with" in a sentence?

You can use "were brimming with" to describe something that is full of a particular quality, emotion, or substance. For example, "The students "were brimming with enthusiasm" for the project" or "The shelves "were brimming with books"."

What are some alternatives to "were brimming with"?

Alternatives include "were full of", "were overflowing with", "were teeming with", or "were packed with", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "were brimming with" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "were brimming with" might sound too informal in some formal contexts. Consider using more precise alternatives like "were replete with" or "exhibited an abundance of" for a more professional tone.

What is the difference between "were brimming with" and "were filled with"?

"Were brimming with" suggests a state of overflowing or abundance, often implying an emotional or qualitative aspect. "Were filled with" is a more general term simply indicating that something is full. For instance, "Their hearts "were brimming with joy"" conveys a stronger sense of emotion than "Their hearts "were filled with joy"".