I was captivated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was captivated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that inspired or fascinated you. For example: "I was captivated by the beauty of the mountains as I looked out over the landscape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was captivated by it".

The New York Times - Arts

I was captivated, charmed and moved.

The New York Times - Books

I was captivated by that face".

The Guardian - Arts

I was captivated by both of them..

The Guardian - Books

"I was captivated by her performances.

The New York Times - Style

Remember expense accounts!" I was captivated.

The Guardian - Music

I was captivated — and crying my eyes out".

The New York Times - Sports

I was captivated by Professor Kagan from day one.

Harvard University

As a child I was captivated by Disney World.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I was captivated and have been ever since.

The Washington Post

I was captivated and found it all so invigorating".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was captivated" to express a strong feeling of fascination, interest, or enchantment. Ensure that the object or reason for your captivation is clearly stated for context.

Common error

While "I was captivated" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "I found it fascinating" or "I was intrigued by" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was captivated" functions as an independent clause expressing a subjective experience of being deeply fascinated or charmed. It is typically followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the object or reason for the captivation. Ludwig AI shows examples in various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was captivated" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a strong feeling of fascination or enchantment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts, including news media and academia. While it's generally acceptable, it's important to consider the tone and formality of your writing and choose alternatives like "I was fascinated" or "I was intrigued" for more formal situations. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, reflecting its versatility in describing a wide range of captivating experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I found it captivating

Shifts the sentence structure slightly to emphasize the quality of the object or experience.

I was enthralled

Indicates a higher degree of fascination and absorption.

I was fascinated

A more general term for being very interested.

I was spellbound

Suggests a magical or mesmerizing quality to what captivated you.

I was mesmerized

Implies a hypnotic or trancelike state of captivation.

I was charmed

Suggests a delightful or pleasing captivation.

I was intrigued

Indicates curiosity and interest that leads to captivation.

I was engrossed

Emphasizes being completely absorbed in something.

I was riveted

Highlights being firmly fixed or focused on something.

It held me captive

Uses a more dramatic and figurative expression of captivation.

FAQs

How to use "I was captivated" in a sentence?

Use "I was captivated" to describe a feeling of being deeply attracted or influenced by something. For instance, "I was captivated by the performance" or "I was captivated by the story".

What can I say instead of "I was captivated"?

You can use alternatives like "I was fascinated", "I was enthralled", or "I was mesmerized" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "I was captivated by" or "I was captivated from"?

"I was captivated by" is the correct and more common usage. "I was captivated from" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "I was captivated" and "I was intrigued"?

"I was captivated" implies a deeper level of fascination and enchantment, while "I was intrigued" suggests a feeling of curiosity and interest that may lead to further investigation.