all-consuming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all-consuming" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that takes up all of someone's attention, energy, or resources, often in a negative or overwhelming way. Example: "Her all-consuming passion for painting left little time for anything else in her life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

It was all-consuming".

The New York Times

SERVICE -- All-consuming.

The New York Times

She seemed all-consuming.

The New Yorker

It's so all-consuming".

The New York Times

All-consuming, paralyzing terror.

Yale University

It's all-consuming.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

It is all consuming.

The Guardian - Business

But it was all consuming.

The Guardian - Music

Grief can be all consuming.

The Washington Post

It's all consuming, self-congratulatory nonsense.

The Guardian - Music

Column by David Leonhardt: All Consuming.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all-consuming" to describe passions, projects, or emotions that demand a significant amount of time and energy, often to the exclusion of other activities.

Common error

Avoid using "all-consuming" for minor interests or temporary preoccupations. Reserve it for situations where the intensity is truly significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all-consuming" functions as an adjective, typically used attributively to modify nouns. It describes something that completely occupies or dominates one's attention, time, or resources. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage, supported by numerous examples of its application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all-consuming" functions as an adjective used to describe something that completely dominates one's attention, time, or resources. Ludwig AI confirms the correct usage, emphasizing its prevalence in various contexts, particularly in news and academic writing. The phrase serves to highlight the totality or intensity of the subject it modifies. While its register is generally neutral, it's crucial to avoid overuse in casual contexts to maintain its impactful meaning. Related phrases such as "totally engrossing" and "utterly absorbing" offer nuanced alternatives. With frequent appearances in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, the phrase maintains a strong presence in professional and well-regarded writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totally engrossing

Focuses on the aspect of capturing one's complete attention and interest.

utterly absorbing

Highlights the quality of holding one's attention completely.

completely dominating

Emphasizes the aspect of having complete control or influence.

fully encompassing

Stresses the idea of including or covering everything.

absolutely riveting

Highlights the captivating and compelling nature.

entirely preoccupying

Focuses on the state of being mentally or emotionally absorbed.

overwhelming

Emphasizes the feeling of being intensely affected.

consuming all

Highlights the act of using up resources or attention.

highly captivating

Emphasizes the quality of attracting and holding interest.

thoroughly absorbing

Similar to "utterly absorbing", but with a slightly different emphasis.

FAQs

How to use "all-consuming" in a sentence?

You can use "all-consuming" to describe something that demands complete attention or energy, such as "Her work became an "all-consuming project"" or "The grief was "all-consuming and nothing else matters"".

What can I say instead of "all-consuming"?

Alternatives include "totally engrossing", "utterly absorbing", or "completely dominating", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "all-consuming passion" or "consuming passion"?

"All-consuming passion" emphasizes the completeness of the passion, suggesting it takes up all of one's time and energy. "Consuming passion" also implies a strong passion, but "all-consuming" intensifies the degree to which it dominates one's life. Both are correct, but have slightly different emphasis.

What's the difference between "all-consuming" and "overwhelming"?

"All-consuming" suggests something uses up all of your resources or attention, while "overwhelming" implies a feeling of being intensely affected or difficult to handle. An all-consuming task might become overwhelming, but the terms aren't perfectly interchangeable.