a mutual obsession

USAGE SUMMARY

'a mutual obsession' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe two people (or groups of people) who share the same intense interest in something. For example: The two teenagers had a mutual obsession for the latest fashion trends.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"We have a mutual obsession with the West.

The New Yorker

Their complex and passionate relationship, a mutual obsession based on separation, is set against the merciless landscape of Voss's trek towards oblivion.

The Guardian - Books

— The offensive coordinator of the Jets and his latest pupil seem like kindred spirits, not friends exactly but men inspired by each other, driven by each other and bonded by a mutual obsession: the finer points of playing quarterback.

The New York Times - Sports

While the two older stepsisters, Maggy and Patricia, seemed relatively unaffected by what Jane calls "the split" perhaps because they were older when it happened, the two younger stepsisters were, according to Alison, swiftly locked into a mutual obsession and a battle for both their own fathers and each other's.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Maybe that's starting a company together, or sharing a mutual obsession for Thai food and talking about art, or having lots of sex.

Huffington Post

With sustainability the goal of having a creative career that can pay the bills and get the next project up and running, if not necessarily manufacture millionaires on the table, our conversation turned to a mutual obsession: Kickstarter.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

(Caylee of next week's installment also shares addictive behavior with her mother, as well as a grim mutual obsession).

The New York Times - Arts

What we get from the main performances, however, is a sense of mutual obsession with Jeffery Kissoon investing Shlink with a heroic pathos and Joseph Arkley playing Garga as a love-object who is tougher than he looks.

The Guardian

But within seconds, after I told him that I loved the bit in his book about the on-screen/off-screen chemistry of Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney in the incandescent "Two for the Road," we were madly e-mailing back and forth on a subject of mutual obsession and depression: Why romantic comedies now reek.

The New York Times

2) It follows the mutual obsession that develops between a young psychopath and the assassin-obsessed MI5 officer on her tail.

Vice

Allison & Matt fell in love over their mutual obsession for homemade recipes and enjoyment of food, a passion that truly shows through in their inventive and original cupcake recipes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mutual obsession" to clearly convey a shared, intense interest between two or more parties. This highlights a strong bond and shared focus.

Common error

Avoid using "a mutual obsession" when the shared interest is mild or casual. Choose a less intense phrase like "a shared interest" or "a common liking" for weaker connections.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mutual obsession" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It describes a shared intense interest or preoccupation between two or more entities, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Lifestyle

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mutual obsession" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a shared, intense interest or preoccupation. While relatively uncommon, it appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. When using this phrase, consider the intensity of the shared interest and whether "obsession" accurately reflects the situation, or if a milder term like "shared interest" would be more appropriate. Remember to use it to highlight a strong bond between two or more entities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shared fascination

Replaces "obsession" with "fascination", suggesting a less intense, but still strong, shared interest.

a shared fixation

Uses "fixation" instead of "obsession", suggesting a slightly more intense, potentially negative, focus.

a joint passion

Substitutes "obsession" with "passion", implying a strong, positive shared feeling.

a unifying obsession

Highlights the aspect of bringing people together through the obsession.

a common interest

Uses "interest" instead of "obsession", indicating a milder form of shared enthusiasm.

a reciprocal preoccupation

Replaces "obsession" with "preoccupation" and "mutual" with "reciprocal", adding a formal tone.

a shared interest

Similar to "a common interest", but uses "shared" instead of "common".

a reciprocal interest

Combines the formality of "reciprocal" with the milder "interest".

a common enthusiasm

Replaces "obsession" with "enthusiasm", conveying a positive and energetic shared interest.

a joint enthusiasm

Similar to "a common enthusiasm", but uses "joint" instead of "common".

FAQs

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

You can use "a mutual obsession" to describe a strong shared interest or passion between two or more people. For example, "Their "a mutual obsession" with vintage cars led them to start a restoration business."

What's the difference between "a mutual obsession" and "a shared interest"?

"A mutual obsession" implies a much stronger, more intense interest than "a shared interest". An obsession is a dominating preoccupation, while an interest is simply a feeling of wanting to know or learn about something. Therefore you can use alternatives like "a shared fascination".

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a shared passion", "a common interest", or "a joint fixation" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "a mutual obsession" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a mutual obsession" can sound intense. In formal writing, consider using a more neutral term like "a shared interest" or "a common focus" to maintain a professional tone, unless the intensity is genuinely relevant. Alternatives include phrases such as "a reciprocal interest".