completely distracted

USAGE SUMMARY

'completely distracted' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person who is completely engrossed in something and unable to focus on anything else. For example: "I was so completely distracted by the movie that I didn't hear the doorbell."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Thankfully, Winehouse had yet to become a drug-induced wraith completely distracted by her demons.

The New York Times

The staging, lighting and design of that production completely distracted from the music.

The New Yorker

I figure Newcastle to lose tonight because they're completely distracted by the promotion emotions.

The Guardian - Sport

Children laugh with unreserved joy before getting completely distracted, while adults strain to hear, see and understand.

The Economist

But I'd just stand there barefoot in the dark, completely distracted, thinking about the next day's scenes".

The New York Times

On another visit, a wedding next door blasted pop music so loud it shook the furniture and completely distracted the whole table.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

In this case it is her kindergarten brothers who come up with an ingenious and rather creepy solution that completely distracts everyone from Daphne and her disaster of the day before.

The New York Times - Books

But most of the time, these novels are about people who are not college professors, and yet they're thinking and speaking as if they were college professors, and I find that completely distracting".

The Guardian - Books

Thus, it is our duty to utilize the opportunity unless it will be a time bomb blast at one time in future which can completely distract the social, political, and economic stability of the country.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

He says the company is trying to strike a balance, creating an app that's engaging but not so much so that it completely distracts you from the actual TV.

TechCrunch

Instead, it completely distracts from the experience.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's state of mind, use "completely distracted" to clearly indicate a total inability to focus on the present situation. This is particularly useful in narrative writing or when detailing the cause of an error or oversight.

Common error

While "completely distracted" is acceptable, consider stronger synonyms like "utterly engrossed" or "wholly absorbed" in formal or academic writing to enhance the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely distracted" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the extent to which someone's attention is diverted. It amplifies the adjective "distracted," indicating a total lack of focus as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "completely distracted" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a state of total inattentiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to emphasize the intensity of distraction, making it suitable for various contexts, though stronger synonyms may be preferred in formal writing. Predominantly found in news and media, "completely distracted" serves to highlight a significant lack of focus, often explaining errors or oversights. When writing, consider if the strength of "completely" is the best descriptor, or if other alternatives could be more descriptive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totally preoccupied

Implies a mental absorption that prevents one from noticing external stimuli.

utterly engrossed

Highlights a deep level of engagement that excludes other thoughts.

entirely absorbed

Suggests a complete mental assimilation in something.

wholly diverted

Focuses on the redirection of attention from one thing to another.

fully captivated

Conveys being held spellbound or fascinated, leading to distraction.

mentally absent

Indicates a state of not being present in the moment, often due to wandering thoughts.

lost in thought

Describes a deep state of contemplation that causes unawareness of surroundings.

preoccupied to the exclusion of everything else

Emphasizes that pre-occupation makes one forget other things.

oblivious to everything around

Highlights the state of unawareness regarding one's surroundings.

rapt in attention

Focuses on someone who is so captivated by something that they don't pay attention to what is happening around them.

FAQs

How can I use "completely distracted" in a sentence?

You can use "completely distracted" to describe someone who is unable to focus on their surroundings due to being preoccupied with something else. For example, "The loud music made me "completely distracted" during the exam".

What are some alternatives to "completely distracted"?

Alternatives include "totally preoccupied", "utterly engrossed", or "entirely absorbed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "completely distracted" or "totally distracted"?

Both "completely distracted" and "totally distracted" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference or the desired tone, with "completely distracted" perhaps sounding slightly more formal.

Can "completely distracted" be used in formal writing?

While acceptable, consider using synonyms with slightly more gravitas in formal writing. Alternatives like "utterly engrossed" or "wholly diverted" might be more suitable.