a cause of preoccupation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cause of preoccupation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is a source of concern or worry for someone. Example: "The rising pollution levels in the city have become a cause of preoccupation for many residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"This possibility is obviously a cause of preoccupation for Israel.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That surely is a result of preoccupation with structure.

The New Yorker

But there was a touch of melancholy, a hint of preoccupation, about his mood.

The New Yorker

This does not reflect a lack of preoccupation but the fact that it isn't an easy problem to solve.

BMC Systems Biology

The Western interpretation of mental illness as being caused by demonic possession reached its height during a prolonged period of preoccupation with witchcraft (15th through 17th century) in Europe and in colonial North America.

Britannica

A collection of "Preoccupations" columns published in The New York Times.

The New York Times

American politics is returning to a long-forgotten state of preoccupation with banking.

The New Yorker

This epochal transformation was the cause of widespread unease and preoccupation: were French citizens going to be the same, even when ingesting exciting foreign substances and indulging in luxuries that were becoming increasingly affordable?

Huffington Post

Fixation, i.e., an increasingly pathological preoccupation with a person or a cause, such as Clayton Waagner's gathering of target information on abortion doctors.

Security Informatics

The warning behavior fixation indicates a preoccupation with a person or a cause, for instance increasing perseveration on the object of fixation, increasingly strident opinion, or increasingly negative characterization of the object of fixation [17].

Security Informatics

This overinvestment causes a preoccupation with results (especially failure!), expectations, and pressure that lead to doubt, worry, anxiety, and fear.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cause of preoccupation" when you want to express that something is the reason why someone is constantly thinking about or concerned with something.

Common error

Avoid using "a cause of preoccupation" when the intended meaning is something positive. "Cause for celebration" is for joyful events; "a cause of preoccupation" relates to worry or concern.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cause of preoccupation" functions as a noun phrase, identifying the reason or origin of someone's state of being preoccupied. It specifies what is prompting or instigating their focused attention or worry. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cause of preoccupation" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote something that prompts worry or intense focus. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is valid and usable in English. Its frequency is rare, yet appropriate across diverse fields like news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, ensure it accurately reflects the source of concern rather than something positive. Alternative phrases include "a source of anxiety" or "a reason for concern", offering similar nuances. The primary function is to express what instigates someone's state of being preoccupied, adding depth to the description of their concerns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a source of anxiety

Replaces "preoccupation" with "anxiety", emphasizing the worrying aspect.

a reason for concern

Uses "concern" instead of "preoccupation", highlighting worry and apprehension.

a matter of worry

Substitutes "cause" with "matter", focusing on worry and unease.

an object of fixation

Shifts the focus to the thing being fixated upon, rather than the reason for preoccupation.

a preoccupation trigger

Highlights what initiates the state of being preoccupied.

a catalyst for rumination

Emphasizes the repetitive thinking aspect of preoccupation.

a focus of attention

Highlights the allocation of mental resources to a specific issue.

the root of obsession

Emphasizes the compulsive nature of a prolonged preoccupation.

the impetus for reflection

Shifts the focus to contemplative thought prompted by something.

a basis for absorption

Highlights complete mental engagement.

FAQs

How can I use "a cause of preoccupation" in a sentence?

You can use "a cause of preoccupation" to indicate that something is making someone worried or constantly thinking about it. For example, "The upcoming election is "a cause of preoccupation" for many voters".

What's a simple way to rephrase "a cause of preoccupation"?

Consider using "a source of concern" or "a reason for worry" as simpler alternatives to ""a cause of preoccupation"".

Is "a cause for preoccupation" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a cause for preoccupation" is grammatically correct, but ""a cause of preoccupation"" is more common.

When is it appropriate to use "a cause of preoccupation" in writing?

It is appropriate to use ""a cause of preoccupation"" when you want to express that something is the reason why someone is constantly thinking about or concerned with something, typically something negative.