consumed with thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'consumed with thoughts' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to convey that someone is preoccupied with a particular thought or idea. For example: I was consumed with thoughts of what I could have done differently.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

That night, the following morning, my entire day in work, my head would be consumed with thoughts of doubling, trebling, quadrupling my winnings from the day before.

The Guardian - Sport

Robert, his father and the general manager of the Netherlands baseball team, was consumed with thoughts of the boy, who died of cancer in 2003, as he steered through the emotionally conflicted day.

The New York Times - Sports

Even after receiving four negative test results, the broker spent much of his day consumed with thoughts about the subtle ways that a brain tumor can signal its presence through a headache.

The New Yorker

He's still consumed with thoughts of Pierre, who played a role in his and his parents' death, and asks: "Can we hurt other people?" "They don't need us for that," Costa replies, enigmatically.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

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Vice

And like most men, my mind isn't consumed with thoughts of bloody baby wieners all day.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I've always respected Emily Dickinson's line 'The soul selects her own society, / Then shuts the door; / On her divine majority / Obtrude no more.' You know, he's consumed with his thoughts.

The New Yorker

She found herself consumed with obsessive thoughts.

BBC

Some dogs are consumed with the thoughts of food, other dogs love long walks or sticking their heads out the window.

HuffPost

When you're consumed with negative thoughts, it can be tough to remember to take good care of yourself.

WikiHow

But I suspect that becoming consumed with the thought of receiving the decisions is a natural phenomenon for high school seniors.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consumed with thoughts" to effectively convey a state of being overwhelmed or preoccupied by specific ideas or concerns. It is best used when the thoughts are intense and dominate a person's attention.

Common error

Avoid using "consumed with thoughts" in situations that do not warrant such intensity. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Consider using simpler alternatives like 'thinking about' or 'focused on' for less intense scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consumed with thoughts" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being intensely preoccupied or overwhelmed by one's thoughts. Ludwig provides examples where individuals are "consumed with thoughts" about various concerns, demonstrating this descriptive function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Huffington Post

12%

Less common in

The New Yorker

8%

The New York Times

6%

BBC

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consumed with thoughts" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe a state of being intensely preoccupied with one's thoughts. According to Ludwig, this phrase functions as an adjectival phrase and can be used across various contexts, mainly in News & Media and Wiki articles. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid sounding melodramatic. For alternative phrases, consider "absorbed in thought" or "preoccupied with ideas" to find the expression that better fits your writing purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absorbed in thought

A more concise way of expressing a similar state of mental focus.

deep in thought

A simple and direct way to describe someone who is thinking intently.

preoccupied with ideas

Focus shifts to 'ideas' rather than general 'thoughts'.

immersed in reflection

Highlights a deliberate and thoughtful consideration of something.

preoccupied with a notion

Similar to 'ideas' but suggests something less concrete or formed.

engrossed in contemplation

Emphasizes a deeper, more sustained form of thinking.

fixated on an idea

Implies a strong, possibly obsessive, focus on a single idea.

ruminating on something

Focuses on the repetitive and often negative nature of thinking.

lost in reverie

Suggests a more dreamy and unfocused state of thinking.

obsessed with thinking

Indicates an unhealthy or excessive preoccupation with thought.

FAQs

How can I use "consumed with thoughts" in a sentence?

You can use "consumed with thoughts" to describe someone who is deeply preoccupied or overwhelmed by a particular idea or concern. For example, 'After the argument, she was "consumed with thoughts" about what she should have said'.

What are some alternatives to "consumed with thoughts"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "absorbed in thought", "preoccupied with ideas", or "lost in reverie". Each conveys a slightly different nuance of being deep in thought.

Is it correct to say "consumed by thoughts" instead of "consumed with thoughts"?

Both "consumed with thoughts" and "consumed by thoughts" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning, although "consumed with thoughts" is slightly more common.

What's the difference between "consumed with thoughts" and "distracted by thoughts"?

"Consumed with thoughts" suggests a deep preoccupation, where the thoughts dominate your attention. "Distracted by thoughts", on the other hand, implies that the thoughts are intrusive and prevent you from focusing on something else.