a deep preoccupation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a deep preoccupation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong or intense concern or focus on a particular issue or topic. Example: "Her writings reflect a deep preoccupation with the themes of identity and belonging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But Amy's novels reveal a deep preoccupation with the concept of deliverance from sin.

The New Yorker

From the mid-1950s thethe mid-1960s, a deep preoccupation with cars throbbed through French popular culture.

The New York Times

Two extremely condensed answers: a curiosity and a deep preoccupation with the variety of ways narrative can simultaneously accommodate individual and group lives.

The Guardian - Books

The five European nations engaged against Isis share a deep preoccupation: they fear the development of jihadi networks and ideology among their Muslim communities.

The Guardian - Opinion

This had the effect not only of darkening the mood of Heaney's work in the 1970s, but also of giving him a deep preoccupation with the question of poetry's responsibilities and prerogatives in the world, since poetry is poised between a need for creative freedom within itself and a pressure to express the sense of social obligation felt by the poet as citizen.

The New Yorker

Rutherford was Baptist with a strong faith and expressed a "deep preoccupation with propriety and morality" in her textbooks, criticizing "authors who openly portrayed sexuality or themselves lived in ways Rutherford found immoral".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But his pictures and résumé – not to mention the cribsheets on interviewing techniques and the history of journalism that also nestle in the grimy bag – are evidence of a deeper preoccupation.

The Guardian

Her first travel piece, about Cairo, from 1955, bears traces of what would later be called orientalism: someone with "black eyes, mournful and gay at the same time", displays "quick fatalistic anger" – anger is non-fatalistic almost by definition, but this is "the east" – or looks up out of his deep preoccupation to give a sudden shout, "as Arabs do" (what, all of them)?

The Guardian - Books

In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, the notion briefly prevailed that an age of excess had been terminated, and we Americans would finally be forced to relinquish our deep preoccupation with shallow things.

The New York Times - Books

"For what my work is aiming at is, above all, realism: I pursue the inner, hidden reality, the very essence of objects in their own intrinsic findamental nature; this is my only deep preoccupation".

The New Yorker

I will not leave till I get what I came here for: shahadah [martyrdom]." Related to this is her deep preoccupation with sexual propriety and worldly corruption.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a deep preoccupation", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject of the preoccupation. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a deep preoccupation" when a simpler term like "interest" or "concern" would suffice. Overusing strong language can dilute its impact. Reserve this phrase for situations where the focus is genuinely intense or obsessive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a deep preoccupation" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of being intensely focused or concerned with something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a deep preoccupation" is a noun phrase used to describe a state of intense focus or concern. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for use, particularly in neutral to formal contexts. While interchangeable with phrases like ""a strong interest"" or ""an intense focus"", "a deep preoccupation" carries a stronger connotation of persistent engagement. Remember to ensure the context clearly defines the subject of the preoccupation and avoid overusing the phrase when simpler terms would suffice. The term appears most frequently in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a profound interest

Substituting "deep" with "profound" amplifies intensity and conveys meaningfulness.

a strong fixation

Fixation is used instead of preoccupation; the intensity stays at the same level.

an intense focus

Highlights the concentration aspect of preoccupation, removing the potentially negative connotations.

a consuming interest

Interest is more intense and the focus on the passion aspect makes the alternative different from QUERY

a strong interest

Replaces "preoccupation" with "interest", suggesting a less intense and more positive focus.

a keen concern

Emphasizes worry and care about something, rather than just intense thought.

a major concern

Emphasizes the significance of the matter at hand, shifting focus from obsession to importance.

a consuming passion

Suggests an all-encompassing enthusiasm that can drive action.

a ruling passion

Replacing "deep preoccupation" with "ruling passion" implies that this interest dominates one's life and decisions

an obsessive interest

Conveys extreme focus to the point of being unhealthy or irrational.

FAQs

How can I use "a deep preoccupation" in a sentence?

You can use "a deep preoccupation" to describe someone's intense focus or concern with a particular subject. For example: "Her writings reflect a deep preoccupation with the themes of identity and belonging."

What are some alternatives to "a deep preoccupation"?

You can use alternatives like "a strong interest", "a keen concern", or "an intense focus" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a deeply preoccupied" instead of "a deep preoccupation"?

While "deeply preoccupied" is grammatically correct, it functions as an adjective describing a state, whereas "a deep preoccupation" is a noun phrase describing the object of focus. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a deep preoccupation"?

Use "a deep preoccupation" when you want to emphasize a significant, often persistent, focus or concern. It's suitable when the subject's attention is strongly engaged or even consumed by something.