were filled with

USAGE SUMMARY

"were filled with" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something was completely filled with something else. Example: The jars were filled with colorful candies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

We were filled with incredulity".

Independent

They were filled with chat.

The New York Times

They were filled with TNT.

The New Yorker

His sinuses were filled with her smell.

The New Yorker

The stands were filled with suburban women.

The New Yorker

His cheeks were filled with words.

The New Yorker

The tanks were filled with stolen fuel.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Hackenberg's bees were filled with black scar tissue.

The New Yorker

His days, according to another friend, were filled with lawyers.

The New York Times

The following four years were filled with struggle.

Huffington Post

His eyes were filled with tears.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were filled with", ensure the subject and object clearly indicate what is being filled and with what. For instance, "The auditorium was filled with enthusiastic students" leaves no ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was filled with" when referring to a plural subject. The correct form is "were filled with". Example: Incorrect: "The books was filled with errors." Correct: "The books were filled with errors."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were filled with" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received the action of being filled. As Ludwig AI suggests, it expresses a state of being completely occupied or abundant in something, as seen in examples like, "The streets were filled with surprises."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were filled with" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to describe a state of abundance or completeness. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its meaning is clear and directly expresses something being completely occupied with something else. The analysis of various sources shows that it is frequently used in "News & Media" and "Science", making it suitable for a wide range of contexts. Remember to use it with a plural subject and choose alternatives like "were brimming with" or "were replete with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Using "were filled with" effectively involves ensuring subject-verb agreement and clarity in describing what is being filled and with what.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were brimming with

Replaces "filled" with "brimming", suggesting an overflowing abundance.

were overflowing with

Emphasizes the excessive quantity, going beyond simply being full.

were replete with

Substitutes "filled" with "replete", indicating a state of being completely full or satisfied.

were saturated with

Replaces "filled" with "saturated", implying a complete permeation or impregnation.

were abundant in

Shifts from a passive voice to an active description of abundance.

were packed with

Implies a dense filling, often suggesting items or objects.

were loaded with

Suggests a burden or carrying capacity being maximized.

were imbued with

Implies a quality or characteristic that permeates something.

were heavy with

Suggests a weighty or substantial filling, often with emotion or meaning.

were dense with

Implies a high concentration or compactness of elements.

FAQs

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

Use "were filled with" to describe something that contained a lot of something else. For example, "The streets "were filled with people"".

What are some alternatives to "were filled with"?

Some alternatives include "were replete with", "were overflowing with", or "were packed with". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was filled with" instead of "were filled with"?

No, "was filled with" is used with singular subjects, while "were filled with" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The glass was filled with water," but "The glasses were filled with water".

What's the difference between "were filled with" and "were full of"?

"Were filled with" implies a more complete or intense filling than "were full of". While both indicate a high level of content, "were filled with" often suggests every available space is occupied. Depending on the context one is more appropriate than the other.