be consumed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be consumed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being overwhelmed or deeply affected by something, often an emotion or thought. Example: "He seemed to be consumed by his worries about the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It must not be consumed by sectarian strife.

The Guardian - Opinion

It can even be consumed by those with lactose intolerance.

The Guardian

To be consumed by chef, staff, and diners.

The New Yorker

"He will be consumed by the dirt of politics".

The New York Times

She said she refused to be consumed by hatred.

The New York Times

Most of them will be consumed by Wednesday at the latest.

The New York Times - Food

"People were happy to be consumed by him," his daughter, Paloma, remarked.

The Guardian - Arts

He warned that any government officials who moved against him would be consumed by fire.

The New York Times

I did not for a second think that I would be consumed by the disease.

The Guardian

It should be consumed by people who know what they're talking about".

The New Yorker

Roy MacGregor called poutine a "concoction that should only be consumed by the heartless".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be consumed by" to vividly describe a state of being overwhelmed by emotions, thoughts, or activities. This phrase adds intensity and depth to your writing. For example, "He was consumed by grief" is stronger than "He was sad."

Common error

While "be consumed by" is a valid passive construction, overuse can weaken your writing. Consider active alternatives when appropriate for a more direct and impactful style. Instead of "The project was consumed by delays", try "Delays consumed the project."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be consumed by" functions primarily as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is acted upon or affected intensely by something else. Ludwig AI examples show its use in describing states of being overwhelmed by emotions, processes, or external forces.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be consumed by" is a versatile phrase used to describe a state of being overwhelmed or completely taken over by something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable across various writing styles. It’s particularly effective in news, media, and scientific contexts, where conveying intensity and impact is crucial. While versatile, writers should avoid overuse of passive voice and consider active alternatives for directness. To increase clarity and effectiveness, consider semantically similar alternatives to "be consumed by" such as ""be engrossed in"" or ""be overwhelmed by"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be overwhelmed by

Emphasizes the feeling of being overpowered, often by emotions or tasks.

be absorbed in

Stresses a state of deep immersion, similar to engrossed but can also imply physical absorption.

be engrossed in

Focuses on mental absorption rather than complete utilization.

be eaten up by

Implies a gradual disappearance or depletion.

be preoccupied with

Highlights a state of mental focus and concern.

be taken up by

Suggests that something occupies time or space.

be dominated by

Highlights a state of being controlled or influenced, often negatively.

be steeped in

Implies immersion in a particular atmosphere or quality.

be utilized by

Focuses on the application or use of something, removing the emotional aspect.

be ruled by

Indicates control or influence from an external force.

FAQs

How can I use "be consumed by" in a sentence?

You can use "be consumed by" to describe a state of being overwhelmed or engrossed. For instance, "She was consumed by her work" or "The city was consumed by chaos".

What are some alternatives to "be consumed by"?

Some alternatives include "be engrossed in", "be overwhelmed by", or "be absorbed in" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "be consumed by" or "become consumed by"?

Both "be consumed by" and "become consumed by" are grammatically correct, but "be consumed by" is more common for describing a current state, while "become consumed by" suggests a process or change over time.

When is it appropriate to use "be consumed by" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize a strong feeling of being overwhelmed, engrossed, or used up by something. However, be mindful of overusing passive voice; sometimes, an active construction can be more impactful.