captivate with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "captivate with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of holding one's attention or interest with something. For example, "He captivated the audience with his passionate speech."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The quintessential toys, like a ball or toy soldier, captivate with their versatility.

The New York Times - Arts

But, although Camilo can move and captivate with his rich, lush ballads, his real strength lies in rapidly executed jazz lines played above the jumping left hand Latin rhythm lines.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I remember rushing down from Lincoln, where I was working, to see it and being bowled over by the genius of Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop production: its ability to captivate with its fluidity and grace, and to arouse one's anger at the attritional strategy of the military top brass.

The Guardian

But Davis feels his team have failed to captivate with their style of play.

BBC

That's $100 bucks more than the AT&T Captivate, with the primary differences being that the Streak has 1″ more of screen space and is that much harder to fit in your pocket.

TechCrunch

This season, dress to impress with a stunning, sensible ensemble, and captivate with creativity and class instead of crass.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mr Stephen Gwynn, who presided, was captivated with this ingenious idea.

The Guardian - Books

He was gentle, pleasant and captivating with his wonderful stories.

The New York Times

Just an advancing phrase of footwork with alternating in/out arm gestures became captivating with her.

The New York Times - Arts

"They're so captivating, with the amount of detail, and so period-accurate," she said.

The New York Times

"I'm captivated with bullfights and feel the pain when they kill the bull.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "captivate with" when you want to emphasize the means or instrument by which something captures attention, for example, "The magician captivated the audience with his illusions".

Common error

Avoid using "captivate with" in passive constructions that weaken the sentence. Instead of "The audience was captivated with the performance", try "The performance captivated the audience".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "captivate with" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of enthralling or fascinating someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, highlighting its role in expressing how attention is seized.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "captivate with" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that effectively describes how something seizes attention or interest. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, and to a lesser extent, in academic settings. While not exceedingly common, its proper use can add nuance to descriptions, especially when emphasizing the specific element causing captivation. For more varied language, alternatives like "enchant with" or "fascinate with" can be considered. Remember that like with most phrases, you may want to avoid passive constructions of "captivate with" to maintain writing strength and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enchant with

Replaces "captivate" with "enchant", focusing on a sense of magical delight.

fascinate with

Substitutes "captivate" with "fascinate", emphasizing intellectual or curious interest.

mesmerize with

Replaces "captivate" with "mesmerize", suggesting a hypnotic level of attraction.

charm with

Uses "charm" instead of "captivate", focusing on a pleasant and attractive quality.

enthrall with

Replaces "captivate" with "enthrall", highlighting complete absorption and delight.

beguile with

Swaps "captivate" for "beguile", implying a subtle and sometimes deceptive charm.

entrance with

Replaces "captivate" with "entrance", focusing on the feeling of being transported or delighted.

allure with

Substitutes "captivate" with "allure", highlighting a tempting and attractive quality.

draw in with

Uses "draw in" instead of "captivate", suggesting a pulling or attracting force.

grip with

Replaces "captivate" with "grip", emphasizing a firm hold on attention or interest.

FAQs

How can I use "captivate with" in a sentence?

Use "captivate with" to describe how someone or something seizes attention or interest, such as "The speaker captivated the audience with their compelling stories".

What are some alternatives to "captivate with"?

Alternatives include "enchant with", "fascinate with", or "mesmerize with", each implying a slightly different nuance of attraction.

Is there a difference between "captivate with" and "captivate by"?

"Captivate with" typically refers to the tool or element that causes captivation, while "captivate by" more broadly attributes captivation to a person or general quality. For example, "captivate with illusions" versus "captivate by their charm".

What's the best context to use "captivate with"?

Use "captivate with" when you want to highlight the specific element that is causing fascination or attraction, be it a skill, a performance, or a particular quality. For instance, you can say "The artist captivated the crowd with her mesmerizing dance moves".