being distracted from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being distracted from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of losing focus or attention on a particular task or subject due to external factors or interruptions. Example: "I find myself being distracted from my work by constant notifications on my phone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

In the 1920s, a decade before T. S. Eliot recognized being "distracted from distraction by distraction" as part of the modernist plight, Bertolt Brecht made the case for a "smokers' theater," which encouraged the audience to light up cigars during plays.

The New York Times - Magazine

When you are being distracted from your distractions, there has to be a broader societal problem at work.

TechCrunch

"What we are doing," she said, "is staying on our course and not being distracted from it in this distractive mode".

The New York Times

The critical feature of distraction thus seems not to be the fact of being distracted from the phobic stimulus, but rather the fact of performing emotional avoidance by distracting oneself from negative affect.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

You feel less claustrophobic or dizzy, but you risk being distracted from the screen.

The New York Times - Tech

Now he refuses to comment.It is hard to understate the consequences of Mr Rove being distracted from his job.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

And I never think about it being distracting from a scene".

The Guardian

Distraction Radar - Inevitably, you will be distracted from your goals.

Huffington Post

-- he is distracted from his studies.

The New York Times - Books

Top management was distracted from the basic business of carmaking.

The Economist

"Ironically, now she could not be distracted from her studies".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, minimize potential distractions by creating a dedicated workspace free from interruptions. This helps maintain focus and reduces the likelihood of "being distracted from" your writing goals.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice when using "being distracted from". Instead of saying "The report was being distracted from by the constant meetings", a more direct and active construction would be "Constant meetings were distracting from the report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being distracted from" primarily functions as part of a verb phrase, often in the passive voice, indicating that someone or something is experiencing a loss of focus due to an external influence. This is supported by Ludwig and the examples given.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the analysis reveals that the phrase "being distracted from" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a state of lost focus or diverted attention. According to Ludwig, it frequently appears in news and media contexts, with notable presence in science-related articles. While its register is generally neutral, its usage spans various communication styles, making it suitable for professional and academic settings. By understanding its function and common errors, writers can effectively use this phrase to convey the intended meaning with clarity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

losing focus on

Focus is lost, indicating a drift of attention, placing it as a more direct synonym.

diverted from

Emphasizes a change of course or direction, suggesting a more active redirection.

sidetracked from

Highlights a deviation from the main path, suggesting a temporary departure.

derailed from

Suggests a more significant disruption, implying a potential failure to return to the original focus.

drawn away from

Focuses on the pull or attraction towards something else, emphasizing the allure of the distraction.

preoccupied with

Indicates a mental absorption that prevents attention to the original subject.

absorbed in

Suggests a deep immersion in something else, creating a barrier to external awareness.

pulled away from

Stresses an external force causing the shift in attention.

deflected from

Highlights the redirection of attention, often by an external source.

disturbed from

Highlights disruption from something unexpected.

FAQs

How can I use "being distracted from" in a sentence?

The phrase "being distracted from" indicates a loss of focus. For example, "She found herself being distracted from her work by social media notifications".

What are some alternatives to "being distracted from"?

You can use alternatives such as "losing focus on", "diverted from", or "sidetracked from" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "distracted from" or "being distracted from"?

"Being distracted from" emphasizes the ongoing process of distraction, while "distracted from" can refer to a completed state. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "being distracted from" and "distracted by"?

"Being distracted from" implies a loss of focus on something, while "distracted by" indicates the source of the distraction. For example, "She was being distracted from her studies" (focus lost) versus "She was distracted by the noise" (source of distraction).