distracted by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distracted by" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about someone being distracted by something or someone. For example, "Jane was distracted by the loud music coming from the next room".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I got distracted by something.

Independent

Are you distracted by technology?

The New York Times

I'm not distracted by it.

The New York Times

You are also distracted by driving.

The New York Times

They were too distracted by baby news.

The New York Times

"I was distracted by the club thing.

The New Yorker

Nobody seemed particularly distracted by the commotion.

The New Yorker

When Vince got distracted by college recruiting.

The New York Times - Sports

They always get distracted by the rush.

The New York Times

They are already so distracted by technology.

The New York Times - Magazine

Students: Are you distracted by technology?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "distracted by", ensure the subject doing the distracting is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The driver was distracted by the billboard" is clearer than "The driver was distracted."

Common error

Avoid using "distracted by" in overly passive constructions that obscure the actor. Instead of "Attention was distracted by the noise", opt for "The noise distracted everyone."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distracted by" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of diverted attention. As Ludwig AI explains, it shows that someone's focus has been drawn away, typically by an external stimulus.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "distracted by" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone's attention has been diverted. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and the examples demonstrate its versatility across different contexts. It functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, explaining why someone is not focused. While its register is neutral, it's most frequently found in news and media sources. Remember to use it actively and ensure the source of the distraction is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sidetracked by

Emphasizes a diversion from the main path or topic.

diverted by

Highlights the act of turning attention away from something.

preoccupied with

Suggests a deep absorption in something else, leading to distraction.

engrossed in

Indicates complete focus on something, causing unawareness of surroundings.

absorbed in

Similar to 'engrossed in', suggesting full attention to something.

caught up in

Implies being deeply involved in something, causing a lack of attention to other things.

taken away by

Focuses on something that captures attention, pulling it away from the original focus.

swayed by

Suggests being influenced to change focus or direction.

derailed by

Highlights the interruption of a process or plan due to a distraction.

waylaid by

Implies being stopped or delayed unexpectedly due to a distraction.

FAQs

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

Use "distracted by" to indicate that someone's attention has been diverted from something else. For example, "The student was "distracted by" the noise outside the window".

What are some alternatives to "distracted by"?

You can use alternatives like "sidetracked by", "diverted by", or "preoccupied with" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "distracted by" or "distracted from"?

"Distracted by" is generally used to indicate what is causing the distraction, while "distracted from" indicates what the person is being distracted away from. For example, "She was "distracted by" her phone" vs. "She was distracted from her work."

What does it mean to be "distracted by" something?

To be "distracted by" something means your attention has been drawn away from what you were originally focused on, typically due to an external or internal stimulus.