were mobbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were mobbed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a group of people is overwhelmed or crowded by others, often in a chaotic or enthusiastic manner. Example: "When the celebrity arrived at the event, they were mobbed by fans eager for autographs and selfies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We were mobbed.

The Guardian

Some of them were mobbed up.

The New York Times

Emergency rooms were mobbed with sick patients.

The New York Times

In the 1960s, her shows were mobbed.

The Washington Post

Afterward, they were mobbed in the corridors.

The New York Times

The park and the hotels were mobbed.

The New York Times - Travel

Afterward, the scientists and the comedians were mobbed by fans.

The New Yorker

"When we demonstrated at trade shows, we were mobbed".

The New Yorker

They were mobbed by television cameras and gawking fans.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The stand was mobbed.

The New York Times

The exhibition is mobbed.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were mobbed", consider the connotation of potential chaos or overwhelming attention. Ensure it aligns with the intended tone and context. If you want to avoid negative connotations, consider using "were thronged" or "were surrounded".

Common error

Avoid using "were mobbed" in situations where the crowd is orderly or the attention is mild. The term implies a significant level of excitement or disruption, so choose a less intense alternative like "were greeted" or "were met" if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were mobbed" functions as the passive voice of the verb "mob". It describes the action of a group surrounding someone, often in an enthusiastic or overwhelming manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were mobbed" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It vividly describes the experience of being surrounded and often overwhelmed by a crowd. Commonly found in news and media, it conveys a sense of chaos or intense attention. While generally neutral in register, choosing synonyms like "were swarmed" or "were thronged" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context and desired nuance. Remember to use "was mobbed" for singular subjects and "were mobbed" for plural subjects to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were swarmed

Emphasizes being quickly and densely surrounded, similar to being attacked by insects.

were besieged

Implies being surrounded in a more aggressive or persistent manner, often for a specific purpose.

were thronged

Suggests being surrounded by a large, densely packed crowd.

were engulfed

Indicates being completely surrounded or overwhelmed, often in a metaphorical sense.

were overrun

Suggests being invaded or taken over by a crowd, implying a loss of control.

were crowded

A more general term for being in a space with many people, less intense than "mobbed".

were surrounded

A neutral term indicating being encircled by people or things.

were pressed

Indicates being closely surrounded, often implying physical pressure from the crowd.

were packed

Suggests being tightly enclosed or squeezed within a crowd.

were crushed

Emphasizes the physical pressure and potential danger of being in a very dense crowd.

FAQs

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

You can use "were mobbed" to describe a situation where a person or group is surrounded by a large and often enthusiastic crowd, for example, "The celebrity "were mobbed" by fans after the concert".

What can I say instead of "were mobbed"?

You can use alternatives like "were swarmed", "were thronged", or "were besieged" depending on the specific context and the level of intensity you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "was mobbed" instead of "were mobbed"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "was mobbed" for singular subjects (e.g., "She was mobbed") and "were mobbed" for plural subjects (e.g., "They "were mobbed"").

What's the difference between "were mobbed" and "were greeted"?

"Were greeted" implies a more orderly and polite reception, whereas ""were mobbed"" suggests a more chaotic and overwhelming encounter. The choice depends on the nature of the crowd and the level of excitement or disruption.