were full

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were full" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being filled or occupied, often referring to a physical space or a metaphorical concept. Example: "The baskets were full of ripe fruit, ready for the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Stadiums were full.

Independent

They were full.

The New York Times

Planes were full.

The New York Times

The hotels were full.

The Guardian

Event sites were full.

The New York Times - Sports

But flights were full.

The New York Times - Travel

"The sewers were full.

The Guardian - Books

Most cars were full.

The New York Times

Churches were full, he said.

The New York Times

Places of worship were full.

The New York Times

What's more, they were full!

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use synonyms like "were packed" or "were filled" for variety, but "were full" remains a universally accepted choice.

Common error

Avoid using "were full" when describing abstract concepts that cannot be physically filled. For instance, instead of "the meeting were full of tension", consider "the meeting was tense".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were full" functions as a predicate in a sentence, typically describing the state of a noun (or nouns) as being completely filled or occupied. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were full" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, indicating that something has reached its maximum capacity. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across diverse contexts, from news reporting and academic writing to casual conversation. While alternatives like "were packed" or "were filled" exist, "were full" remains a versatile and universally understood choice. When using "were full", ensure it aligns with the subject's plurality and avoid applying it inappropriately to abstract concepts. With an expert rating of 4.6, its correctness and common usage are well-established.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were filled

A general term indicating that something contains as much as it can hold.

were packed

Emphasizes the tightness and density of the contents.

were crowded

Suggests a large number of occupants in a confined space.

were overflowing

Indicates that the contents exceeded the capacity and spilled over.

were brimming

Implies that something is on the verge of overflowing.

were saturated

Describes a state of being completely soaked or permeated.

were loaded

Suggests that something is carrying a heavy burden or cargo.

were jammed

Indicates a state of being tightly wedged or stuck.

were replete

A more formal term suggesting complete satisfaction or fullness.

were stocked

Suggests a state of being supplied with a quantity of something.

FAQs

How can I use "were full" in a sentence?

You can use "were full" to describe something that has reached its maximum capacity. For example, "The stadiums "were full"" or "The hotels "were full"".

What are some alternatives to saying "were full"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "were packed", "were filled", or "were crowded" instead of "were full".

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

No, "was full" is used with singular nouns, while "were full" is used with plural nouns or when referring to 'you'. For example, "The glass was full" (singular) versus "The glasses were full" (plural).

What's the difference between "were full" and "were complete"?

"Were full" indicates that something has reached its maximum capacity or extent, whereas "were complete" signifies that something is finished or entire. For instance, "The jugs "were full"" refers to volume, while "The instructions "were complete"" indicates that nothing was omitted.