distracted

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "distracted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person who is easily distracted, or to refer to something that causes a person to become distracted. Example sentence: The teacher had to raise her voice in order to keep her students from becoming distracted.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He should have added, for any voters distracted by the recent Lynton Crosby-led mind games, that a coalition of the Tories and UKIP – formal or not – will ignore Scotland, however strong the SNP, as it heads towards exit from the EU.

The Guardian

For keeping at climate change in 2012 while others get tired or distracted, he deserves to be crowned person of the year.

The Guardian

Is that partly their frustration with the focus on the rape allegation – that it has distracted from the art?

The Guardian - Film

In all the many interviews he has given recently, distracted by the need to engage with the substantive issue of why he is not currently the creative director of Yves Saint Laurent, Kanye West hasn't talked much about Yeezus.

The Guardian - Music

Of course, it's likely that when he swung his head around and gawped intently at a recent episode of Game of Thrones, he was simply distracted by all the colours and noises.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They had become what they never intended: businessmen distracted by meetings and conference calls and the demands of growth and unable to focus on what they believed in: social justice.

The Guardian

Audience members during the set seemed bored and distracted.

The Guardian

The alternatives would not be as effective if people are distracted by other online content.

The Guardian

"We will not get distracted by the advances of either [the Sinn Féin deputy first minister] Martin McGuinness or [the Ulster Unionist party leader] Mike Nesbitt seeking pacts.

The Guardian

Many of Jamaica's netball players appeared to wave at Bolt at half-time, but afterwards they were reluctant to talk about whether his appearance had distracted them.

The Guardian - Sport

It took him two weeks to come up with the word "Lee", so gawd knows what he'll be like distracted by a paternity test.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "distracted", be specific about what is causing the distraction to provide a clearer picture for the reader. For example, "distracted by the noise outside" is more informative than just "distracted".

Common error

Avoid using "distracted" as a generic descriptor. Instead of simply stating someone is "distracted", elaborate on the reasons behind their state. For example, instead of "He seemed distracted", try "He seemed distracted, constantly checking his phone".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "distracted" is as an adjective, describing a state of having one's attention diverted. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its common usage in describing individuals or groups inattentive or diverted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "distracted" functions primarily as an adjective, denoting a state of diverted attention. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's widely used across various contexts, notably in News & Media, Sport, and Lifestyle. The term carries a neutral register, fitting seamlessly into both formal and informal writing. Common errors include generic usage lacking specific context, which can be mitigated by elaborating on the cause of distraction. For similar meanings, alternatives such as "preoccupied" or "inattentive" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preoccupied

Focuses more on being absorbed in one's thoughts rather than having attention drawn away.

inattentive

Emphasizes a lack of attention or focus.

absent-minded

Highlights a forgetful or unaware state due to distraction.

sidetracked

Indicates a diversion from the main subject or task.

diverted

Directly implies a turning away from an original course or focus.

scatterbrained

Suggests a disorganized and unfocused mental state.

engrossed

Implies being deeply absorbed to the point of being unaware of surroundings.

rattled

Indicates a state of being unnerved or confused, leading to distraction.

preoccupied with other matters

A longer phrase specifying the cause of distraction.

having one's attention diverted

A more verbose way of saying attention is drawn elsewhere.

FAQs

How can I use "distracted" in a sentence?

You can use "distracted" to describe someone whose attention is drawn away from the main focus. For example, "The students were "distracted" by the loud construction outside".

What is a synonym for "distracted"?

A synonym for "distracted" is "preoccupied", which implies that someone is absorbed in their own thoughts and less aware of their surroundings.

What's the difference between "distracted" and "focused"?

"Distracted" means having one's attention diverted, while "focused" implies concentrated attention on a particular task or subject. They are antonyms.

Which is correct, "distracted by" or "distracted from"?

"Distracted by" is generally used to indicate what is causing the distraction (e.g., "distracted by the noise"), while "distracted from" indicates what one is being diverted away from (e.g., "distracted from his work").