were completely booked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were completely booked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that all available slots, reservations, or accommodations are filled and no more can be accepted. Example: "I'm sorry, but the hotel was completely booked for the weekend, so we couldn't find a room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Since hotels throughout the state were completely booked, police officers and others were going door to door to let people know the locations of shelters.

The New York Times

Problem 2: they were completely booked.

TechCrunch

But flights were completely booked up on the day I wanted to set off and the train turned out to be an economical and very satisfying experience.

Huffington Post

She looked at her girlfriend of 11 years, Eddie Daniels, and said, "Hey, you want to get married today?" The couple rushed to the Beverly Hills Courthouse, but when they arrived, the clerk said the wedding appointments were completely booked.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Moreover, the fleet is completely booked trying to complete the space station by 2010.

Science Magazine

14 is completely booked at the Fantasyland Hotel.

The New York Times - Travel

Brad Pitt and George Clooney are Democrats, but I don't think Pat Sajak is completely booked up for 2012.

The New York Times

The offer will continue until the resort is completely booked or snowfall increases in other areas.

The New York Times

On nights when the hotel is completely booked, the owner is out of luck.

The New York Times - Travel

"We're completely booked," Debbie Hernandez, working the desk at the Hobuck Beach Resort, said just before New Year's.

The New York Times

Hotels were weirdly expensive in Chicago that night, and the hostel I sometimes stayed at was completely booked.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were completely booked", ensure the context clearly indicates what is fully booked, such as hotels, flights, or appointments.

Common error

Avoid using "were absolutely completely booked" as it's redundant. "Completely booked" already implies a full state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were completely booked" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun (e.g., hotels, flights) to indicate that all available slots or accommodations are occupied. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were completely booked" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe that all available reservations or slots are filled. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is usable in written English to indicate that no more reservations can be accepted. It frequently appears in news and travel contexts. Alternatives like "were fully booked" or "had no availability" can be used to convey a similar meaning. When using this phrase, clarity is key to indicate specifically what is fully booked.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were fully booked

Indicates a synonym where "fully" replaces "completely", maintaining the same meaning.

were all taken

Indicates all available slots or items have been reserved.

were entirely reserved

Synonymous with "completely booked", emphasizing that all reservations have been taken.

had no availability

Focuses on the lack of available slots or accommodations, rather than the state of being booked.

had no vacancies

Specifically used in the context of lodging, indicating no rooms are available.

had reached full capacity

Emphasizes the physical limitation of space or resources, rather than just scheduling.

were at maximum occupancy

Similar to 'had reached full capacity', highlights the filled physical space.

were sold out

Specifically indicates that all tickets or items for a particular event or service are gone.

were unavailable

A broader term indicating that something cannot be accessed or obtained, not necessarily due to bookings.

had a waiting list

Indicates that while fully booked, there's still an option to be added to a list in case of cancellations.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is "were completely booked"?

It means that all available slots, reservations, or accommodations have been taken, and there is no more availability.

What can I say instead of "were completely booked"?

You can use alternatives like "were fully booked", "had no availability", or "were entirely reserved", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "were absolutely completely booked"?

While understandable, adding "absolutely" is redundant. "Were completely booked" already conveys a state of being entirely full.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "were completely booked"?

It's appropriate when describing situations where there is no remaining availability, such as hotels, flights, restaurants, or appointments. For example: "The hotel "was fully booked", so we had to find another place to stay."