been hooked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been hooked" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who has become very interested or captivated by something, often in a positive way. Example: "Ever since I started watching that series, I've been hooked and can't stop binge-watching."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

We've been hooked — again!

University of California, Berkeley

He's been hooked for Pogba.

The Guardian - Sport

Have you been hooked on Gogglebox?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Favorite book: I've always been hooked on poetry.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I've always been hooked on history," he said.

The New York Times

I looked like a striped bass that had just been hooked and thrown on the deck.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

O.K., I'm hooked.

The New Yorker

I'm hooked.

The New York Times

I was hooked!

Columbia University

You'll be hooked!

Independent

Now I'm hooked.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been hooked" to convey that someone has developed a strong interest or liking for something over a period of time. It is more informal than "captivated" or "engrossed" but works well in conversational and journalistic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "been hooked" when describing an immediate reaction. The phrase implies a process of becoming interested over time, not a spontaneous, instantaneous captivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been hooked" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a state of being captivated or addicted to something. Ludwig AI confirms that it's typically used to describe someone who has become very interested or captivated by something, often in a positive way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "been hooked" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone's strong interest or addiction to something. Ludwig provides ample examples from various sources, including News & Media and Academia, showcasing its widespread usage. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and typical usage. While generally neutral, it leans towards the informal side. Related phrases like "become addicted" or "gotten captivated" offer alternative ways to express similar meanings. When using "been hooked", consider the timeframe; it implies a gradual captivation rather than an immediate reaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become addicted

Focuses more on the addictive aspect, implying a dependency.

gotten captivated

Emphasizes the feeling of being charmed or fascinated.

taken with

Suggests being charmed or impressed by something.

become engrossed

Highlights a deep level of absorption and involvement.

become a fan of

Indicates developing an appreciation or enthusiasm for something.

grown attached to

Implies an emotional connection that has strengthened over time.

fallen for

Suggests a sudden and often romantic attraction.

developed a fondness for

Highlights a growing affection or liking.

become obsessed

Implies an excessive and potentially unhealthy preoccupation.

come to enjoy

Suggests gradually finding pleasure or satisfaction in something.

FAQs

How can I use "been hooked" in a sentence?

You can use "been hooked" to describe a gradual captivation. For example, "I've "been hooked" on that TV series since the first episode aired".

What can I say instead of "been hooked"?

You can use alternatives like "captivated", "engrossed", or "addicted" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "captivated" instead of "been hooked"?

Yes, "captivated" is generally considered more formal than ""been hooked"", which has a more casual and conversational tone.

What's the difference between "been hooked" and "immediately captivated"?

"Been hooked" implies a process of gradually becoming interested over time, while "immediately captivated" suggests an instantaneous captivation or strong initial impression.