entertained with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entertained with" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct form would be "entertained by" or "entertained with something." Example: "She was entertained by the magician's tricks during the show."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

WATCHING Lately, I've become really entertained with "Breaking Bad".

The New York Times

Thanks for keeping me entertained with your mails this evening.

The Guardian - Sport

Be entertained with a lively performance of the Berkeley Morris Dancers in the Garden's Entrance oval.

University of California, Berkeley

At such programs the crowd would be entertained with aerial feats.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Or a convivial, witty friend, who entertained with style and had a taste for gambling?

The Economist

Schrager and Rubell were careful to keep celebrities entertained with characters, misfits and outsiders.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And Conrad Black kept us entertained with his courtroom shenanigans in Chicago.

The Guardian - Business

She enjoyed dressing with style and entertained with lively wit and grace.

The New York Times

She entertained with French cut crystal, French porcelain, French sterling silver cutlery, French souffles and two French maids.

The New York Times

Until that happy day arrives, we'll continue to keep one another entertained with tales of our minor medical woes.

The New York Times

Keep yourself entertained with activities ranging from horse riding and roping lessons to desert hikes and rock climbing.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, favor alternatives like "entertained by" or "provided entertainment with" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "entertained with" when you mean "entertained by". "Entertained with" is grammatically incorrect when referring to the source of entertainment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase, though frequently encountered, does not adhere to standard grammatical conventions. "Entertained" is a verb, and while it can be used with a preposition, the common construction should be either "entertained by" or "entertained with something" where the "something" specifies the means of entertainment. Ludwig AI highlights this distinction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "entertained with" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect in standard written English. The correct form is typically "entertained by" or "entertained with something", depending on the context. Despite its common usage, especially in News & Media, it's advisable to opt for grammatically sound alternatives like "amused by", "captivated by", or "delighted by" to ensure clarity and precision. When intending to specify the instrument used for entertainment, ensure it is clearly stated after "with", as in "entertained with music".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entertained by means of

Specifies the method or medium through which entertainment is provided.

amused by

Focuses on the feeling of amusement or lighthearted enjoyment.

captivated by

Emphasizes a strong feeling of interest and attraction.

fascinated by

Suggests a strong and sustained interest.

delighted by

Highlights a sense of great pleasure and joy.

charmed by

Implies a delightful and pleasant experience.

engaged with

Suggests active participation and involvement.

absorbed in

Implies being fully engrossed or immersed in something.

diverted by

Indicates a temporary distraction that provides amusement.

intrigued by

Focuses on curiosity and a desire to learn more.

FAQs

How to correct the phrase "entertained with"?

The most straightforward correction is to replace "entertained with" with "entertained by". For example, instead of "I was entertained with his stories", say "I was entertained by his stories".

What can I use instead of "entertained with"?

Alternatives include "amused by", "captivated by", or "delighted by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always wrong to use "entertained with"?

While often incorrect, "entertained with" can be acceptable if "with" is followed by the means or instrument of entertainment. For instance, "The guests were entertained with music and dance."

What's the difference between "entertained by" and "entertained with"?

"Entertained by" indicates the source or agent that is providing the entertainment (e.g., "entertained by the clown"), while "entertained with" (when correct) specifies what is used to entertain (e.g., "entertained with games").