are gripped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are gripped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being held firmly or emotionally engaged, often in the context of a narrative or situation. Example: "The audience are gripped by the suspenseful plot twists of the movie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You are gripped by psychotic delusions.

The New York Times - Books

"Now investors are gripped by greed".

The New York Times

Councils are gripped by regeneration fever.

The Guardian - Arts

Audiences around the world are gripped.

The Guardian

They are gripped by the force of a longing.

The New Yorker

Even here, there is little sense that visitors are gripped.

The Guardian - Arts

The political classes are gripped by this campaign.

The Guardian - Opinion

Scientists are gripped, and still largely baffled, by how the human brain and personality are formed.

The Economist

Now the streets, bunkers and barracks are gripped by an eerie sense of desperation.

The Guardian

Over the next two days, they are gripped by escalating terror and eventually die of fright.

The New York Times

We are gripped by a new puritanism, as finger-wagging in its way as Cromwell's.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are gripped" when you want to convey a sense of strong emotional or physical hold, especially when describing how a force or situation affects a group or entity.

Common error

Avoid using "are gripped" when an active voice construction would be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The audience are gripped by the speaker", consider "The speaker grips the audience".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are gripped" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being held firmly or emotionally affected. This is supported by Ludwig, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are gripped" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms that it effectively conveys a state of being strongly influenced or affected by something. It is particularly prevalent in news and media contexts, as indicated by its high frequency in sources like The Guardian and The New York Times. While alternatives such as "are captivated" or "are engrossed" offer nuanced meanings, "are gripped" remains a potent choice for emphasizing a firm emotional or physical hold.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are captivated

Emphasizes being charmed or attracted, rather than just held.

are engrossed

Highlights being completely absorbed or preoccupied.

are enthralled

Suggests a sense of being spellbound or fascinated.

are consumed

Implies being overwhelmed or dominated by a feeling or situation.

are plagued

Focuses on being troubled or afflicted by something persistent.

are seized

Indicates a sudden and forceful taking hold.

are overcome

Suggests being defeated or subdued by a force or feeling.

are dominated

Highlights being controlled or ruled by something.

are influenced

Focuses on the power to affect someone's decisions.

are affected

Denotes being impacted or changed by something.

FAQs

How can I use "are gripped" in a sentence?

You can use "are gripped" to describe a state of being strongly affected or influenced by something. For example, "The political classes "are gripped" by this campaign" or "Audiences around the world "are gripped"."

What's the difference between "are gripped" and "are captivated"?

"Are gripped" implies a firm hold, often suggesting tension or strong emotion, whereas "are captivated" suggests being charmed or fascinated.

Which is correct, "are gripped by" or "are gripped with"?

Both "are gripped by" and "are gripped with" are grammatically correct, but "are gripped by" is more commonly used. "Are gripped with" often emphasizes the instrument or means by which one is gripped, for example "are gripped with fear".

What can I say instead of "are gripped"?

You can use alternatives like "are captivated", "are enthralled", or "are consumed" depending on the context.