engrossed me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "engrossed me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that has captured your full attention or interest. Example: "The novel was so captivating that it completely engrossed me from the first page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Resnais may not have accomplished the difficult task of engrossing Bailey, but he sure engrossed me.

The New Yorker

But "Moneyball" engrossed me from start to finish, because the moviemaking from the dialogue to the editing to Bennett Miller's pitch-perfect direction was so expert.

The New York Times

What engrossed me was his way of shaping phrases into cogent arcs and sections, and bringing out the music's narrative urgency.

The New York Times - Arts

It engrossed me totally, and the day came when I told myself that I'd have to split my time between sports.

The New York Times

No, just a modern evolution of Bayko and Brickplayer, both of which engrossed me many years ago – and are still with me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Many fans of "One Life" remember the shattering scenes that first engrossed me, when a character named Karen Wolek — a doctor's wife kept on a strict budget — confessed on a witness stand that she had become a prostitute to pay for extravagances.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

That tidbit alone has kept me engrossed all day.

The New York Times

Anna Kendrick catches me engrossed in a Vanity Fair spread on sex robots.

The Guardian - Film

I could never shake the sense that if the writers couldn't imagine women having a job (other than prostitute), they probably couldn't imagine a story good enough to keep me engrossed for a whole season.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Shutter Island" is a highly entertaining film and kept me engrossed.

Los Angeles Times

A woman I knew found me engrossed in a paperback while seated at a café table on Telegraph Avenue.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "engrossed me" to vividly describe situations where your attention was completely captured. It adds a personal and engaging touch to your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "engrossed me" in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, alternatives like "captivated my attention" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engrossed me" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of being completely captivated or absorbed. It emphasizes the effect something had on the speaker, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "engrossed me" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that effectively communicates a state of being completely captivated or absorbed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's advisable to consider the formality of your writing and choose alternatives like "captivated my attention" for highly formal situations. Alternatives such as "captivated me", "fascinated me", and "absorbed me" offer nuances in meaning and can enhance precision in expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

captivated me

Focuses on the charming and attractive qualities that held attention.

fascinated me

Emphasizes intellectual interest and intrigue.

absorbed me

Highlights the complete consumption of one's attention.

intrigued me

Suggests a sense of mystery or curiosity that piqued interest.

gripped me

Implies a strong, often emotional, hold on one's attention.

enthralled me

Indicates a magical or spellbinding quality that captivated.

riveted me

Highlights the inability to look away due to intense interest.

preoccupied me

Suggests a state of being mentally dominated by something.

consumed my attention

Focuses on the extent to which something dominated one's focus.

held my interest

A more general way of saying something kept one's attention.

FAQs

What does "engrossed me" mean?

The phrase "engrossed me" means something completely captured your attention and interest, holding your focus entirely.

What can I say instead of "engrossed me"?

You can use alternatives like "captivated me", "fascinated me", or "absorbed me" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "engrossed me" formal or informal?

"Engrossed me" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It's suitable for most writing, but more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "captivated my attention".

How to use "engrossed me" in a sentence?

You can use "engrossed me" like this: "The complex plot of the novel completely "engrossed me"." or "The speaker's passionate delivery totally "engrossed me" during the presentation".