consumed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "consumed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means "taken, used, or enjoyed completely." Example Sentence: His attention was completely consumed by the novel he was reading.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A complete picture of the last few months of his life is difficult to assemble: even his closest family members describe him as "inward", consumed with "private things".

The Guardian

Indigenous people in the Northern Territory consumed about 16.9 litres of pure alcohol a year, the researchers found, compared with 10 litres in the general population.

The Guardian

You should vote for them if: You don't value life and secretly want to spend your dying moments writhing around in agony as your body is consumed by a fiery galactic orb.

The Guardian

If my kids had a diet of blockbusters only, that would be a shame, but if you look at what most kids consume games-wise, it's far more varied and interesting than what my generation has consumed.

The Guardian - Tech

The study also relied on people self-reporting how much they were drinking, which isn't always reliable – especially as milk is also consumed in cereals and cooking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Changing behaviours An objective of the Smart Meter Challenge was to change the way people perceived and consumed their gas and electricity.

The Guardian

While genetically engineered corn and soybeans are routinely grown, they are largely consumed by animals, while wheat is consumed directly by people and has faced more consumer resistance.

The New York Times

A large apartment complex under construction in Houston has been consumed by fire, sending thick, black smoke billowing into the sky and drawing hundreds of emergency personnel.

The Guardian

In Brussels tomorrow the leaders of 27 countries, as well as the heads of the European commission and the European Central Bank, gather for their seventh EU summit this year, all consumed by the crisis surrounding the single currency.

The Guardian - Business

The relentless growth in the proportion of national income consumed by the state, spent on universal services, pensions and benefits, he argues, is an irreversible feature of modern capitalism.

The Guardian - Books

In The Wendigo (1908), superstition creates a monster, which makes off with a native American tracker in the Canadian forest; in The Willows (1907), marsh willows move in on a couple of canoeists on the Danube; in The Man Whom the Trees Loved (1912), a wife watches helplessly as her husband is consumed by his love of trees.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "consumed" to describe a person's state, be specific about what they are consumed by (e.g., "consumed by grief", "consumed by work").

Common error

Avoid using "consumed" in passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Instead of saying "The resources were consumed", specify who or what consumed them to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "consumed" is as the past participle of the verb "consume". It is often used in passive voice constructions or as an adjective to describe something that has been completely used up or someone who is completely engrossed in something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consumed" functions primarily as a past participle or adjective, conveying complete usage, depletion, or absorption. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, especially in news and media. To ensure clarity, specify the actor or cause of consumption, and avoid ambiguous passive constructions. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively incorporate "consumed" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

used up

Focuses on the depletion of resources or energy.

devoured

Implies rapid and complete consumption, often in a literal sense.

engrossed

Highlights a state of being completely absorbed or preoccupied.

absorbed

Similar to engrossed, but can also refer to physical absorption.

depleted

Emphasizes the reduction or exhaustion of something.

exhausted

Similar to depleted, but often refers to energy or resources.

spent

Indicates the use of time, energy, or resources.

finished

Implies the completion of using something.

taken up

Suggests that something has occupied time or space.

destroyed

Focuses on the complete ruin or devastation of something, often by fire.

FAQs

How can I use "consumed" in a sentence?

"Consumed" can describe the action of using something up completely (e.g., "The fire consumed the forest") or a state of being engrossed (e.g., "She was consumed with worry").

What are some synonyms for "consumed"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like "used up", "devoured", "absorbed", or "engrossed".

Is it correct to say someone is "consumed by" an emotion?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. Saying someone is "consumed by" an emotion means they are completely overwhelmed or dominated by it (e.g., "He was consumed by sadness").

What is the difference between "consumed" and "used"?

"Consumed" implies complete usage or destruction, whereas "used" simply means something has been employed for a purpose. For example, resources can be "consumed", while a tool is "used".