a collective obsession

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a collective obsession" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a shared intense interest or fixation among a group of people. Example: "The rise of social media has led to a collective obsession with online validation and likes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Sarah Koenig's intricately drawn-out murder case became a collective obsession.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The cause of their stunted growth is a collective obsession with the disappearance of a sixteen-year-old girl.

The New Yorker

Contrary to Blair's pious vision, a collective obsession with history - compulsively revisiting ancient offences and festering injustices - is the very thing that prevents people moving forward.

The Guardian - Arts

During one sequence the words of the taunting messages even seem to float in the air around the frustrated investigators.Mr Fincher aims to tell a fascinating story, not to exorcise a collective obsession.

The Economist

Last weekend, over 8,000 My Little Pony superfans descended on the Baltimore Convention Center for the fifth annual BronyCon a three-day celebration of magical friendship, glittery wigs, and a collective obsession with the cult animated TV show.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

That rational market response is a rather pathetic reflection of our collective obsession with the short-term at the expense of a healthy future.

Huffington Post

In a year where hope for the new may have a very real purpose, and our collective obsession with identity and progress has reached bursting point, Scotland has been surveying the landscape for its finery and its flaws.

Vice

That his rampages singled out mostly privileged suburban teenagers — kids whose innocence and security is a collective national obsession — made them even more frightening.

The New York Times

The text has been shorn by the composer – losing about two thirds – but the best jokes are still there, from a collective manic obsession with cucumber sandwiches to that dangerously over-exciting topic, the fall of the rupee.

The Guardian

It shouldn't come as a surprise that living in Sweden can do that to a person – Swedish people have a collective perpetual obsession with the ESC.

Vice

Considering our ongoing and understandable collective obsession with Slenderman, it's not a surprise that HBO cashed in on the phenomenon with the documentary Beware the Slenderman.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a collective obsession" to describe situations where a group's interest in a particular topic or activity is unusually intense and pervasive. For instance, you might say, "The town's a collective obsession with the annual pie contest was evident in the elaborate entries."

Common error

Avoid using "a collective obsession" when a more neutral term like "shared interest" or "common goal" would be more appropriate. Overusing the term can sometimes make the tone overly dramatic or sensational, especially in formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a collective obsession" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, describing something that is the object of shared intense interest. Ludwig AI validates this as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a collective obsession" is a noun phrase used to describe a shared and intense interest or preoccupation within a group. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts to highlight strong, widespread interests. While useful for emphasizing the intensity of shared interests, it is important to use it appropriately to avoid overly dramatic or sensational tones, and consider neutral alternatives such as "shared fixation" or "communal preoccupation" when a more moderate description is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collective mania

Directly replaces "obsession" with "mania", indicating an intense enthusiasm shared by many.

a shared fixation

Replaces "obsession" with "fixation", indicating a strong focus or interest that is collectively held.

a communal preoccupation

Substitutes "obsession" with "preoccupation", suggesting a state of being mentally engaged with something as a community.

a widespread fascination

Replaces "obsession" with "fascination", implying a captivating interest that is widely spread.

a common fixation

Similar to "a shared fixation" but emphasizes the commonality of the interest.

a national obsession

Specifies that the obsession is prevalent at the national level.

a cultural phenomenon

Suggests the obsession has become a significant aspect of a culture.

a prevailing trend

Focuses on the popularity and current nature of the collective interest, emphasizing its trendiness.

mass hysteria

Implies a more extreme, uncontrolled form of collective excitement or anxiety.

group mania

Suggests a state of heightened excitement and enthusiasm within a group.

FAQs

How can I use "a collective obsession" in a sentence?

You can use "a collective obsession" to describe a shared, intense interest or preoccupation within a group. For example, "The town's a collective obsession with the local football team was evident every Friday night."

What can I say instead of "a collective obsession"?

You can use alternatives like "a shared fixation", "a communal preoccupation", or "a widespread fascination" depending on the context.

Is "a collective obsession" a negative term?

The term "a collective obsession" can have negative connotations if the obsession leads to harmful or unproductive behavior. However, it can also be used neutrally to simply describe a strong, shared interest.

What's the difference between "a collective obsession" and "a common interest"?

"A common interest" implies a general shared interest, while "a collective obsession" suggests a much more intense and all-consuming focus. The former is milder and more casual than the latter.