find captivating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "find captivating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that something is interesting or holds one's attention in a positive way. Example: "I find captivating the way the author weaves together different narratives in the novel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Most conspicuously, the wines are charged by lightning bolts of acidity that give them a surging energy and freshness that I, for one, find captivating.

The New York Times - Food

But when we got talking here at the VICE office about what we find captivating, most of us agreed that our notions of fear are tied in with our dreams.

Vice

To go deeper and see how he explains it in a way even an Aramaic-speaking wonk would find captivating, I recommend the full text of his speeches at Stanford and Columbia, and a letter to the Swiss scientist Dr. August Forel.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This melting pot of cultures, ethnicities and religions, plus the juxtaposition of old and new, is what Theanly finds captivating about Battambang, and something he thinks makes it a great spot for creativity.

The Guardian - Travel

Yet, it has an exotic nature that the public finds captivating.

Science Magazine

There was a rawness to the "here today, gone tomorrow" shrines that she found captivating.

Vice

I also found captivating the views from Glover Garden across the busy shipyards in the harbor to the city below and the gumdrop-shaped hills surrounding it.

Los Angeles Times

The other clergyman is an inner city minister in an African-American church in Detroit, who has an amazing life history which Albom finds captivating and in some ways similar to his rabbi's story, notwithstanding totally different content and context.

Huffington Post

The director's interest in arcane storytelling, told in half-whispers by the characters you meet and the props you find, captivates, as does the game's combat.

The New Yorker

These men had quite different political orientations, but she adopted them all, mirroring the views of her mentors in ways they all found captivating.

The Guardian

I found it really found captivating and I started to venture into the more underground fields".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "find captivating" when you want to express that something intrigues you in a way that holds your attention and sparks your curiosity. It's a good choice when the subject matter is more than just interesting, but actually fascinating.

Common error

While "captivating" is appropriate in many situations, overuse in formal writing can make your tone seem less objective. In such cases, consider alternatives like "compelling", "intriguing", or "significant" for a more professional sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "find captivating" functions as a verb phrase, where "find" is the main verb and "captivating" is an adjective that describes the object or subject that is found to be attractive or interesting. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "find captivating" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon way to express that something is particularly interesting and attention-grabbing. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in English writing. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, and its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles. When using this phrase, remember that "captivating" implies a stronger sense of allure than simply "interesting". If your goal is a more professional style, consider alternative choices like "compelling" or "intriguing".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consider intriguing

Replaces "find" with "consider" and "captivating" with "intriguing", suggesting a thoughtful assessment of something's interesting qualities.

consider fascinating

Replaces "find" with "consider" and "captivating" with "fascinating", implying a deeper level of interest and allure.

discover enthralling

Suggests a sense of discovery and enchantment.

deem interesting

Uses a more formal tone, replacing "find" with "deem" and "captivating" with the more general term "interesting".

regard as fascinating

Emphasizes the act of considering something with fascination, using a more formal register.

am drawn to

Shifts the focus to the personal attraction and pull towards something.

am intrigued by

Similar to "am drawn to", but specifically highlights intellectual curiosity.

am fascinated by

Expresses a strong sense of wonder and interest.

are drawn into

Similar to "am drawn to", but used in plural form.

hold my attention

Focuses on the aspect of something being able to keep someone's interest.

FAQs

How can I use "find captivating" in a sentence?

You can use "find captivating" to express that something holds your attention and interest in a positive way. For example, "I find captivating the way the author weaves together different narratives in the novel."

What are some alternatives to "find captivating"?

Alternatives include "consider intriguing", "consider fascinating", or "deem interesting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "find captivating" or "find fascinating"?

Both "find captivating" and "find fascinating" are correct, but "fascinating" suggests a stronger sense of wonder and interest compared to "captivating", which simply means holding your attention.

What's the difference between "find captivating" and "find interesting"?

"Interesting" is a general term, while "captivating" implies a stronger, more alluring quality. Something you find interesting might simply pique your curiosity, but something you find captivating holds your attention and fascinates you.