absorbed by

USAGE SUMMARY

"absorbed by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that one object or being has taken in, taken on, or been filled by another object or being. Example sentence: "The big oak tree outside the window was surrounded and absorbed by the fog."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It has been absorbed by Citroen.

The New Yorker

(It has since been absorbed by Oracle).

The New York Times - Tech

Here, it is absorbed by the tungsten.

The Economist

It was eventually absorbed by Puritan magazine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She was also absorbed by nature.

The Guardian - Music

She was totally absorbed by it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Of Christmas, but not absorbed by it.

The New York Times

At other times he is absorbed by his mobile phone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This lesson has been absorbed by most journalists.

The New York Times

He is most absorbed by the novel's treatment of consciousness.

The Guardian - Books

Gasses from the atmosphere are absorbed by the ocean.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absorbed by" to indicate that something has been taken in or engulfed by something else, either physically or metaphorically. For instance, "The sound was absorbed by the thick curtains" or "She was absorbed by her work."

Common error

Avoid using "absorbed by" in active voice constructions. "The curtains absorbed the sound" is preferable to "The sound was absorbed by the curtains" if you want to emphasize the curtains' action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absorbed by" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that a subject has undergone a process of being taken in, engulfed, or deeply engaged by something else. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absorbed by" is a versatile expression used to describe physical assimilation, deep engagement, or the taking over of one thing by another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts. While often used in a neutral register, it can adapt to formal or informal settings depending on the subject matter. To avoid misuse, ensure the phrase is used in passive voice and consider the context when choosing it over alternatives like "engrossed in" or "consumed by".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consumed by

Suggests a complete and often overwhelming preoccupation.

immersed in

Emphasizes a deep involvement, often suggesting a surrounding influence.

enveloped by

Suggests being surrounded and enclosed, often in a comforting or protective way.

engrossed in

Focuses on mental immersion rather than physical assimilation.

preoccupied with

Highlights a state of being mentally focused on something.

integrated into

Highlights the process of becoming part of a larger whole.

assimilated into

Similar to integrated into, but can also refer to cultural or intellectual adoption.

taken up by

Indicates that something is now occupied or filled by something else.

taken over by

Implies being replaced or controlled by something else.

subsumed under

Indicates being included or classified within a broader category.

FAQs

How can I use "absorbed by" in a sentence?

"Absorbed by" is used to show that something is either physically taken in or completely engrossed in something. For example, "The sponge was absorbed by the water" or "She was completely absorbed by the book".

What are some alternatives to "absorbed by"?

You can use alternatives like "engrossed in", "immersed in", or "consumed by", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "I am absorbed by the work" or "I am absorbing the work"?

"I am absorbed by the work" is generally correct when you mean you are completely engrossed in the work. "I am absorbing the work" suggests you are learning or understanding the work, which is a different meaning.

What is the difference between "absorbed by" and "affected by"?

"Absorbed by" implies being completely engrossed or integrated, while "affected by" means being influenced or impacted. For example, someone can be "absorbed by" a book but "affected by" a sad event.