dominated my thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dominated my thoughts" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something has been a significant focus or preoccupation in your mind. Example: "The idea of moving to a new city has dominated my thoughts for weeks now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The guilt was invasive; beneath my smile, shame dominated my thoughts.

The New York Times

In any case, it was the other snake that dominated my thoughts the night that Uncle Jurgen fought Mr. Gamrod.

The New Yorker

Of course my business has dominated my thoughts for most of my adult life, and I'm adept at spinning a narrative to fit whatever is happening at the moment.

The New York Times

Those scenes dominated my thoughts more than other recent, joyful moments with others.

Huffington Post

These are questions that have dominated my thoughts since Emwasi's identity was revealed, as I was to learn that I had in fact gone to primary and secondary school with him.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

On Halloween, one can be forgiven for obsessing with murderers, but it's not Idi Amin who will dominate my thoughts.

The New York Times

IT wasn't too many days after Sept. 11 that a hot dog began to dominate my thoughts.

The New York Times - Food

I told her about how the skirting boards in my house dominate my thoughts, and how I find myself stopping work every hour or so to run an old T-shirt over the notched surfaces.

The New York Times - Style

I've never actually spoken to a man who displays such a thing, but I think should the occasion arise, I might find myself trying not to stare at it, the way you do when someone's fly is open or he has some awful piercing, though it would dominate my thoughts and then, inevitably, I would be staring, revolted.

The New York Times - Magazine

If I wrote a review for Illmatic 48 hours after it initially dropped, I would have failed to document the significance of "New York State Of Mind" because I was so overwhelmed by "Life's A Bitch" and "The World Is Yours" that it dominated my initial thoughts and would have driven my review.

Huffington Post

My core beliefs were 'I'm unlovable' and 'I'm a burden' which dominated my every thought.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dominated my thoughts" when you want to express that a particular idea, concern, or image has been a constant and central focus of your mental activity.

Common error

While "dominated my thoughts" is effective, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "consumed my thoughts" or "preoccupied my mind" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dominated my thoughts" functions as a descriptive expression indicating a state of preoccupation or intense mental focus. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status, reflecting its common usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dominated my thoughts" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a state of intense mental preoccupation. Ludwig AI confirms this, and its usage is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While not exceedingly frequent, it effectively conveys the idea that a particular subject has taken over one's thinking. To avoid repetition, consider alternatives like "consumed my thoughts" or "preoccupied my mind".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consumed my thoughts

This alternative suggests a complete and overwhelming occupation of one's mind, implying a strong emotional or mental impact.

preoccupied my mind

This phrase indicates a state of being mentally absorbed or engrossed, suggesting a less intense but persistent focus.

filled my mind

This alternative suggests that one's thoughts are completely taken up by something, leaving little room for anything else.

weighed heavily on my mind

This phrase conveys a sense of burden or concern, suggesting that the thoughts are causing stress or worry.

occupied my waking moments

This emphasizes the constant presence of the thoughts, particularly during one's active hours.

monopolized my attention

Focuses on the attention aspect, suggesting something prevented from focusing on other things.

held my complete focus

Highlights the intensity of concentration and mental energy directed towards something.

was uppermost in my mind

Indicates a sense of priority; the thought was at the forefront of one's awareness.

haunted my imagination

Conveys a sense of persistent and often unsettling mental imagery.

engrossed my consciousness

This emphasizes the complete absorption of one's awareness in something.

FAQs

What does "dominated my thoughts" mean?

It means that a particular idea, concern, or image has been a constant and central focus of your mental activity, essentially taking over your thinking.

How can I use "dominated my thoughts" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe situations where something has been a significant preoccupation, for example, "The upcoming deadline has "dominated my thoughts" all week".

What are some alternatives to "dominated my thoughts"?

You can use alternatives like "consumed my thoughts", "preoccupied my mind", or "filled my mind" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "dominated my thoughts"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.