were teeming with

USAGE SUMMARY

"were teeming with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a place or area which is full of people or activity. An example sentence could be: "The streets of the city were teeming with people during the summer months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Platforms were teeming with people.

The Economist

The Xenakis's more abrasive surfaces, too, were teeming with life.

The Guardian - Music

On a recent Saturday evening, bars in the surrounding neighborhood were teeming with patrons.

The Washington Post

All four floors were teeming with punters who had money to burn.

The Guardian - Sport

The waters of the Mesozoic were teeming with reptile life though, both in the seas and freshwater environments.

The Guardian

While the streets were teeming with protests, it offered its usual mix of cookery programmes and soap operas.

The Guardian - Opinion

More than 400 million years ago, ancient oceans were teeming with many fish that might seem alien in today's seas.

The New York Times - Science

Instead, at 2 a.m. the reserved V.I.P. tables were teeming with Europeans drinking bottles of Moët and Ketel One.

The New York Times - Style

Places that had been declared "model family planning counties," reporting negative population growth, were teeming with children.

The New York Times

There was a time when the city's sidewalks were teeming with eye candy for street photographers like Misha Erwitt.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Afghanistan was teeming with opportunists.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were teeming with" to vividly describe a place or environment that is abundantly full of life, activity, or objects. This phrase adds a sense of vibrancy and energy to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "were teeming with" to describe inanimate objects unless you are personifying them. For example, instead of saying "the old house was teeming with dust bunnies", consider more direct descriptions such as "the old house was filled with dust bunnies".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were teeming with" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically a past continuous form of the verb "teem" combined with the preposition "with". It describes a state of being abundantly full or crowded with something. Ludwig examples show the phrase used to describe physical spaces or environments that are filled with activity or life.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were teeming with" is a versatile and vivid way to describe abundance and activity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, it effectively paints a picture of environments rich in life, objects, or people. While synonyms like "were abundant in" or "were overflowing with" offer alternatives, "were teeming with" holds a unique power in conveying vibrant and dynamic scenes. Remember to use it carefully, avoiding misuse with inanimate objects and choosing it strategically to bring your writing to life.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were abundant in

Replaces "teeming" with a more straightforward descriptor of abundance.

were overflowing with

Emphasizes the idea of being excessively full.

were packed with

Suggests a dense concentration of items or people.

were swarming with

Implies a large, active group, often used for insects or crowds.

were rich in

Focuses on the valuable or desirable contents.

were bursting with

Highlights a sense of overflowing energy or life.

were filled with

A general term for being completely occupied.

were crawling with

Suggests a large number of creatures, often with a negative connotation.

were flush with

Indicates a plentiful supply, often of money or resources.

were heavy with

Suggests a large quantity or burden of something.

FAQs

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

Use "were teeming with" to describe a place or thing that is full of something. For example, "The coral reefs "were teeming with" colorful fish".

What are some synonyms for "were teeming with"?

Alternatives include "were abundant in", "were overflowing with", or "were packed with", depending on the specific context.

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

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "was teeming with" for singular subjects (e.g., "the lake was teeming with fish") and "were teeming with" for plural subjects (e.g., "the streets were teeming with people").

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

"Were teeming with" suggests a vibrant and abundant presence, often implying life or activity. "Were filled with" is a more general term indicating that something is completely occupied, but doesn't necessarily imply vibrancy. Think of it this way the concert halls "were teeming with" fans, the shopping mall "were filled with" shoppers.