a shared fixation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shared fixation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a common interest or obsession that is held by a group of people. Example: "The team developed a shared fixation on the latest technology trends, which fueled their innovative projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There are, on the surface, few similarities between "Ka" and Wagner's "Ring," besides the brandishing of a large nugget of what appeared to be gold at the start of the Cirque show and a shared fixation on twins.

The New York Times - Arts

Their bond is loose, built out of a shared fixation on the music, which in the end is not much of a bond at all.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

First, there is our shared fixation on jobs.

The New York Times

There is a straight line from Harmonia and Andromeda to the works of Tracy Emin, Sarah Lucas and Ms. Beecroft, and I am referring not just to the shared fixation on naked pudenda but also to the more or less flimsy artistic rationales and the inevitable tut-tutting of moralizers, all of which makes fodder for cheeky art critics and other marginal exploiters of the flesh.

The New York Times - Arts

And then there's the shared fixation with basements: Kevin hallucinates in the lower reaches of his family's home, mistaking a furnace for a monster ― an "obviously scarring childhood fear" that could also help explain the design and location of some of Jigsaw's torture.

Huffington Post

Though Gilbert has spent his career as a performer, and Arlene spent hers as an observer, they shared a fixation on the masks that people wear — to take the stage or just to get through life.

The New Yorker

A native Tennessean who moved to New York in the 60's and immediately fell in love with all things ethnic, she was the only one who shared my fixation, except for a Jewish friend whose parents took him for Italian on the rare Sunday nights they skipped Chinese.

The New York Times - Food

For example, when sampling values uniformly from all locations, generic biases that are shared between fixation selection and feature distributions across all images yield an overestimation of prediction performance.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

Chevalier and I share a fixation with Johannes Vermeer.

The Guardian - Opinion

For most of the first hour, he and the Trump aides engaged in a relatively conventional discussion of Middle East policy, but the talk grew more animated as the two sides realized that they shared a common fixation on Iran.

The New Yorker

It's like the world's chicest term paper, quoting from "Night of the Hunter, Bonnie and Clydede," "Gun Crazy," "They Live by Night" and true crime stories told through the eyes of Larry Clark (the director of "Kids"), sharing his fixation on the hairless chests of teenage boys.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a shared fixation" to subtly highlight a common but potentially intense interest that might influence decisions or perspectives within a group. This phrase works well when describing shared obsessions in creative or analytical fields.

Common error

Avoid using "a shared fixation" when "a common interest" or "a mutual focus" would be more appropriate. The word "fixation" implies a strong, potentially obsessive focus, which might be too strong for casual or minor agreements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shared fixation" functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and used to describe a common interest or preoccupation between two or more entities. The adjective "shared" modifies the noun "fixation", indicating that the fixation is not individual but collective.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a shared fixation" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a common, often intense, interest or preoccupation. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is valid and usable in written English. While the term "fixation" can sometimes carry negative connotations, in general use it simply denotes a strong, mutual interest. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. When considering alternative phrases, options like "a common obsession" or "a mutual preoccupation" offer similar meanings with slightly different shades of intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common obsession

Replaces "fixation" with "obsession", implying a stronger, perhaps more intense, shared interest.

a shared preoccupation

Mirrors "a mutual preoccupation" but uses the term "shared" which is more fitting and natural in many contexts.

a mutual preoccupation

Substitutes "fixation" with "preoccupation", suggesting a shared absorption or concern.

a joint fascination

Mirrors "a collective fascination" but uses the term "joint" which is more fitting and natural in many contexts.

a collective fascination

Replaces "fixation" with "fascination", conveying a sense of wonder and captivation.

a shared passion

Emphasizes the emotional investment by using "passion" instead of "fixation".

a mutual interest

Mirrors "a joint interest" but uses the term "mutual" which is more fitting and natural in many contexts.

a joint interest

Uses "interest" instead of "fixation", indicating a less intense and more casual shared focus.

a common enthusiasm

Indicates a shared excitement or zeal by using "enthusiasm" instead of "fixation".

a collective focus

Replaces "fixation" with "focus", suggesting a shared concentration or attention.

FAQs

How can I use "a shared fixation" in a sentence?

You can use "a shared fixation" to describe a common, often intense, interest or preoccupation. For example: "Their "shared fixation" on vintage cars led them to restore a classic model together."

What's the difference between "a shared fixation" and "a common interest"?

"A shared fixation" implies a stronger, possibly obsessive, focus, while "a common interest" suggests a more casual and less intense mutual engagement.

What can I say instead of "a shared fixation"?

You can use alternatives like "a common obsession", "a mutual preoccupation", or "a joint interest" depending on the context and the intensity you want to convey.

Is "a shared fixation" a negative or positive phrase?

The connotation of "a shared fixation" can vary. While "fixation" can imply an unhealthy obsession, in many contexts, it simply highlights a strong, common interest that drives behavior or decisions. Context is key.