found it captivating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "found it captivating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something has caught your interest or attention in a positive way. Example: "After reading the novel, I found it captivating and couldn't put it down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

He found it captivating.

The New York Times - Magazine

The pace of life is slow; I found it captivating.

The Guardian - Travel

Light, witty and elegiac all at once – I found it captivating.

The Guardian - Books

Although Freeman writes on his site that the map is "not a serious proposal, so take it easy with the emails about the sacred soil of Texas," several prominent bloggers have found it captivating enough to consider how it would change American politics.

The New Yorker

IGN believed the game to be "more casual than we'd like", but still found it captivating, entertaining, and "a true adventure worthy of the Zelda name", calling it "different, but it's still the real deal".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Wood did not immediately regard the house as beautiful, but he did find it captivating.

Wikipedia

I don't know a whole lot about popping but I find it captivating when it's done really well.

Huffington Post

He found it oddly captivating.

The New York Times - Books

But after looking more carefully, he found it oddly captivating.

The New York Times - Arts

I find it really captivating especially after working too long on too many "Game of Thrones" scripts and needing to turn off my brain for a while.

The New York Times

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

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "found it captivating" to express a strong, positive reaction to something that has caught your attention and held your interest. It is suitable when describing a memorable experience or encounter.

Common error

While "captivating" is a strong word, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "interesting" or "noteworthy" might be more appropriate. Consider the audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found it captivating" primarily functions as a subjective assessment or personal reaction. It expresses the speaker's positive experience of being highly engaged and charmed by something. Ludwig confirms that the usage is correct and highlights the positive sentiment associated with it.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "found it captivating" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong positive reaction of being highly engaged and charmed by something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers a range of examples from various sources. Its neutral register makes it suitable for many contexts, although it may be slightly elevated for highly formal writing. Related phrases like "found it gripping" or "found it enthralling" can be used for similar, nuanced expressions. It's a phrase that effectively conveys personal enjoyment and fascination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find it captivating

Expresses the sentiment in the present tense, rather than past.

found it gripping

Emphasizes the intensity and excitement of the experience; suggests holding attention tightly.

found it riveting

Highlights the compelling and absorbing nature of the subject.

found it enthralling

Implies a sense of being completely fascinated and charmed, often by something beautiful or mysterious.

found it arresting

Suggests that something is striking and immediately demands attention.

found it thrilling

Focuses on the excitement and exhilaration produced by something.

found it exciting

A more general term for expressing pleasure and enthusiasm.

found it intriguing

Emphasizes the mystery and curiosity the subject evokes.

found it fascinating

Highlights the intellectual interest and appeal of the subject.

considered it fascinating

Similar in meaning, but uses a different verb to convey a more thoughtful assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "found it captivating" in a sentence?

You can use "found it captivating" to describe something you found very interesting or charming. For instance, "I "found it captivating" when I visited Rome.".

What can I say instead of "found it captivating"?

You can use alternatives like "found it gripping", "found it enthralling", or "found it fascinating" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "found it captivating" in formal writing?

While "found it captivating" is generally acceptable, in very formal or academic contexts, consider using more neutral alternatives like "found it interesting" or "found it noteworthy" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "found it captivating" and "found it interesting"?

"Found it captivating" implies a stronger sense of charm or fascination, suggesting a deeper level of engagement than simply "found it interesting", which can be a more neutral observation.