were overflowing with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were overflowing with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is abundant or excessive, often in a positive or enthusiastic context. Example: "The garden were overflowing with vibrant flowers, creating a stunning display of colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Motel rooms were overflowing with teenagers.

The New York Times

The sidewalks were overflowing with people as traffic crawled alongside.

The New Yorker

The garbage cans were overflowing with shredded paper.

The New Yorker

The characters developed wonderfully, and by the end they were overflowing with rich desires and feelings.

The Guardian

Where the divots have gotten too much, they were overflowing with heaping mounds of replacement turf.

The Guardian - Sport

Clinics and hospitals across the city were overflowing with the wounded.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

"They are overflowing  with energy.

Independent

Yet America is overflowing with money.

The Economist

"My wallet was overflowing with receipts.

The New York Times

Wall Street is overflowing with excess again.

The New York Times

A start-up is overflowing with energy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were overflowing with" to vividly describe situations where something is present in large quantities, creating a strong sense of abundance or excess. For example, "The markets were overflowing with fresh produce after the harvest."

Common error

Ensure you use "were" with plural subjects. The error is to use "was" when the subject is plural. For instance, say "The shelves were overflowing with books", not "The shelves was overflowing with books".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were overflowing with" functions as a descriptive verb phrase, indicating that something contains an abundance of something else, exceeding its capacity. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were overflowing with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that vividly describes abundance and excess. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. Its primary function is to emphasize the extent to which something is filled, creating a strong impression of plentifulness. While its register is generally neutral, it's most commonly found in news and media, followed by formal and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject is plural to match the verb "were", and consider alternatives like "were brimming with" or "were teeming with" for nuanced descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were brimming with

Replaces "overflowing" with "brimming", suggesting a full state but not necessarily spilling over.

were teeming with

Suggests a lively abundance, often used for living things.

were filled to the brim with

More emphatic than "were filled with", suggesting maximum capacity.

were bursting with

Conveys a sense of intense fullness, almost to the point of breaking open.

were packed with

Emphasizes the density of the contents, implying a tight fit.

were abundant with

Synonymous indicating a state of richness and plentifulness.

were abundant in

Shifts focus to the presence of something in large quantities.

were replete with

More formal and literary, suggesting a rich or abundant supply.

were saturated with

Implies a complete permeation or absorption.

were rich in

Focuses on the quality of abundance.

FAQs

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

Use "were overflowing with" to describe a situation where something is present in abundance. For example, "The streams were overflowing with salmon during the spawning season".

What are some alternatives to "were overflowing with"?

You can use alternatives like "were brimming with", "were packed with", or "were teeming with" depending on the specific context.

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

No, "was overflowing with" is only correct when referring to a singular subject. Use "were overflowing with" for plural subjects. For example, "The stadium was overflowing with fans" (singular) versus "The stadiums were overflowing with fans" (plural).

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

"Were filled with" implies a state of being full, whereas "were overflowing with" suggests an abundance that exceeds capacity. "Were overflowing with" is the more emphatic and vivid expression.