engrossing account

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "engrossing account" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a narrative or story that captures the reader's attention and interest. Example: "The author's engrossing account of her travels kept me captivated from start to finish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

This "engrossing account" of the campaign relies on the "vivid, at times powerful" recollections of ground-level combatants, Ronald H. Spector said here last year.

The New York Times - Books

Wilkerson, a former national correspondent for The Times, has written a masterly and engrossing account of the Great Migration, in which six million African-Americans abandoned the South between 1915 and 1970.

The New York Times - Books

The first of these books was also one of the finest: in 1952, Samuel Rosenman, who wrote for Franklin D. Roosevelt and edited his presidential papers, published an engrossing account of the words, ideas and events of the 1930's and 40's that transformed this nation and its role in the world.

The New York Times - Books

Egremont has produced a thorough, sympathetic, balanced, engrossing account".

The Guardian - Books

An engrossing account of the continuing ruckus over Webster's Third New International Dictionary.

The New York Times - Books

"Why should I?" Werner produced the most engrossing account of the recent Korean campaign.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

This is an engrossing, scholarly account of the hardships and fierce determination of David Livingstone and other British adventurers who searched for the Nile's source in central Africa in the mid-19th century.

The New York Times - Books

In addition to Argentine officials, Mr Blustein also interviewed officers at the International Monetary Fund and its political master, the United States' Treasury.The result is an engrossing inside account of how, despite the best of intentions, the Fund's two loans to Argentina in 2001 ended up merely prolonging the country's agony and increasing its debt burden.

The Economist

Continuity, then, is the takeaway message from Tinniswood's engrossing and romantic account (no one can make an over lintel sound so lovely as he).

The Guardian - Books

But Shesol's engrossing, well-calibrated account of what is commonly regarded as F.D.R.'s lowest moment shows that there was "a growing agreement that the Court must be curbed," including calls for constitutional amendments even more radical than the court-packing scheme.

The New Yorker

The Flux Quartet gave an engrossing and volatile account of the Italian modernist composer Giacinto Scelsi's String Quartet No. 2 (1961), which employs copper mutes (the composer's innovation) that press certain strings to lend a rattling intensity to the sound.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "engrossing account" to describe narratives that are particularly captivating and hold the reader's attention completely. It's especially effective when highlighting the immersive quality of a story, biography, or historical record.

Common error

Avoid using "engrossing account" for trivial or commonplace subjects. The phrase implies a high level of captivation and interest, so reserve it for truly compelling narratives to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engrossing account" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "engrossing" is an adjective modifying the noun "account". It highlights the captivating quality of the account, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Arts

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "engrossing account" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a captivating narrative. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys that a story or description is captivating and holds one's attention. Predominantly found in news, arts, and academic contexts, this phrase suits neutral to professional registers. While there are various alternatives, such as "captivating narrative" or "compelling tale", it's crucial to reserve "engrossing account" for narratives that genuinely captivate to maintain its descriptive impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

captivating narrative

Replaces "engrossing" with a synonym that also emphasizes the captivating nature of the account.

absorbing story

Focuses on the story aspect and uses "absorbing" to indicate its captivating quality.

compelling tale

Emphasizes the power and forcefulness of the account in holding one's attention.

riveting narrative

Highlights the ability of the account to grip and hold one's attention tightly.

fascinating portrayal

Shifts the focus to the portrayal aspect, using "fascinating" to describe its captivating nature.

gripping story

Emphasizes the story's ability to strongly hold the reader's attention.

remarkable depiction

Highlights the quality of the depiction as being noteworthy and attention-grabbing.

spellbinding narrative

Indicates the account has a magical or enchanting quality that captivates the audience.

enthralling chronicle

Uses a more formal term, "chronicle", and "enthralling" to suggest a captivating and captivating quality.

arresting description

Emphasizes the description's ability to immediately capture and hold one's attention.

FAQs

How can I use "engrossing account" in a sentence?

You can use "engrossing account" to describe a narrative that is particularly captivating. For example: "The historian provided an "engrossing account" of the war, detailing the strategies and personal stories of the soldiers involved."

What are some alternatives to "engrossing account"?

Alternatives to "engrossing account" include "captivating narrative", "absorbing story", or "compelling tale", depending on the context.

Is "engrossing account" formal or informal?

"Engrossing account" leans towards a more formal register, suitable for academic papers, news articles, or literary reviews. It's less appropriate for casual conversation or informal writing.

What makes an account "engrossing"?

An account is considered "engrossing" when it is deeply captivating and holds the reader's attention completely. This can be achieved through vivid descriptions, compelling characters, intriguing plots, or insightful analysis.