be overwhelmed by

USAGE SUMMARY

"be overwhelmed by" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to feel completely defeated, helpless or dominated by something. Example: "As a new mom, I often feel overwhelmed by the constant demands of caring for my baby."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Who wouldn't be overwhelmed by Mr. Ortega?

The New York Times - Arts

"He wouldn't be overwhelmed by the opportunity.

The New York Times - Sports

Idealism is, once again, about to be overwhelmed by opportunism.

Independent

– but they are unlikely to be overwhelmed by the occasion.

The Guardian - Sport

I can very easily be overwhelmed by sense impressions.

The Guardian - Books

"We can't be overwhelmed by those 54 years," Thomas says.

The Guardian

It's hard not to be overwhelmed by what you see".

The New York Times

Do we really want to be overwhelmed by megamansions?

The New York Times

We're not going to be overwhelmed by it".

The New York Times - Sports

Sometimes project creators can be overwhelmed by the success of a crowdfunding campaign.

The New York Times - Tech

Nor can you ever be overwhelmed by the challenge you set yourself".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be overwhelmed by" when you want to express a state of being emotionally, mentally, or physically overpowered by something. For instance, "I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the scenery."

Common error

Avoid using "overwhelm" in the active voice when you intend to describe someone's state. For example, instead of saying "The news overwhelmed him", use "He was overwhelmed by the news."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be overwhelmed by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone or something is experiencing a strong emotional, mental, or physical effect caused by an external factor. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and common expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be overwhelmed by" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a state of being strongly affected by something, often in an emotional, mental, or physical sense. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequency in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, followed by scientific and formal business settings. To avoid common errors, remember to use the passive voice construction correctly, and consider alternatives like "be overcome by" or "be inundated with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be overcome by

This alternative implies a strong emotional or physical effect, often suggesting a loss of control.

be inundated with

Suggests being flooded with something, often in overwhelming quantities.

be consumed by

Implies a complete absorption or preoccupation with something.

be dominated by

Focuses on being controlled or influenced heavily by something.

be affected by

A more general term indicating an influence or impact.

be burdened by

Implies a heavy load or responsibility causing distress.

be staggered by

Suggests a strong surprise or shock.

be crushed by

Implies a devastating emotional or physical blow.

be fazed by

Indicates a disturbance or disruption, often causing confusion.

be conquered by

Focuses on being defeated or subdued.

FAQs

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

You can use "be overwhelmed by" to describe a feeling of being overpowered by something. For example: "She was overwhelmed by the support she received after the announcement".

What are some alternatives to "be overwhelmed by"?

Some alternatives include "be overcome by", "be inundated with", or "be consumed by", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am overwhelm" instead of "I am overwhelmed"?

No, "I am overwhelm" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I am overwhelmed", using the past participle of the verb to indicate a state of being.

What's the difference between "be overwhelmed by" and "be surprised by"?

"Be overwhelmed by" implies a strong emotional or mental impact that can be difficult to manage, while "be surprised by" simply indicates a feeling of unexpectedness or astonishment. Overwhelm is a stronger emotional state than surprise.