has been riveted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been riveted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been fastened or secured firmly, often in a mechanical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The metal plates have been riveted together to ensure maximum strength and durability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

No wonder the nation has been riveted.

The New York Times

Kabul has been riveted since her death Thursday afternoon.

The New York Times

The west has been riveted and incensed by Russia's annexation of Crimea.

The Guardian

Sustainable business, like all other business, has been riveted by the electoral politics of Greece and France and the more or less fictional pronouncements of G20 finance ministers.

The Guardian

For everyone who has been riveted by Mr. Goodman's antics as he has promoted his city and himself, rest assured: The reign of the Goodman family of Las Vegas is not over yet.

The New York Times

The state has been riveted by the trial of Steven J. Hayes, who was convicted last month for participating in a home invasion in Cheshire, in which a woman and her two daughters were killed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

No wonder this trial has been riveting theater for courtroom regulars like Manfred Schübel.

The New York Times

It has been riveting to watch baby-boom fathers inflict their traumatized inner childhoods on their own unsuspecting progeny in turn.

The New York Times - Arts

In a series that has been tightly contested, with only 4 points separating Dallas (463) from Miami (459), it was "a little surprising," Chandler said, to see Wade divert attention from the action on the court, which has been riveting.

The New York Times - Sports

Watching the death match between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama has been riveting but severely draining, because, in addition to having to witness what has become a very unsporting and drawn-out spectacle, we've had to do some wrestling of our own — with our identities, our loyalties, our consciences.

The New Yorker

DAVID VIRELLES AND CONTINUUM One of New York's best pianists — a Cuban who came on the scene only four years ago but has been riveting in bands led by Steve Coleman, Tomasz Stanko, Chris Potter and others — has put together his own quartet, playing mature, mysterious, suitelike music, informed by the best post-'60s New York vanguardists.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been riveted" when you want to convey that attention is intensely focused on a particular subject or event. It suggests a strong, compelling interest that holds the audience's attention firmly.

Common error

Avoid using "has been riveted" to describe actions where the subject is not a central point of focus or where there is no strong element of captivation. "Riveted" should convey compelling interest, not mere passive attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been riveted" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of being captivated or intensely focused. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been riveted" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a state of intense attention or captivation. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate usage. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase effectively conveys a subject's compelling hold on the audience's focus. While not exceedingly common, it's a powerful way to emphasize the depth of interest a subject has garnered. To enhance your writing, consider using it when the situation warrants highlighting intense focus and captivation, and be mindful to avoid misusing it in passive contexts where there is no compelling element of captivation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been captivated

This alternative implies being charmed or influenced, adding a layer of delight or influence absent in the original.

has been engrossed

This suggests a complete absorption of attention, similar to "has been riveted" but emphasizes depth of focus.

has been fascinated

Suggests a strong interest or attraction, highlighting the compelling nature of the object of attention.

has been gripped

This conveys a sense of being tightly held or controlled by interest, which adds intensity compared to the original.

has been enthralled

Implies being completely captivated, suggesting almost a magical or hypnotic level of attention.

has been mesmerized

This indicates a hypnotic fascination, adding a sense of wonder or awe to the captivated state.

has been absorbed

Suggests that attention is entirely taken up, focusing on the completeness of engagement.

has been consumed

This alternative conveys a sense of being completely taken over by something, increasing the intensity of the focus.

has been preoccupied

This suggests that the object of attention has taken over one's thoughts, indicating a dominant focus.

has been hooked

Implies a strong captivation or addiction to something, focusing on the compelling nature of the object.

FAQs

How can I use "has been riveted" in a sentence?

You can use "has been riveted" to describe a situation where someone or something has captured intense attention. For example, "The nation "has been riveted" by the ongoing trial".

What are some alternatives to "has been riveted"?

Alternatives include "has been captivated", "has been engrossed", or "has been fascinated" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the audience has been riveted by the speaker"?

Yes, it's correct. This sentence means the audience was intensely focused on and captivated by the speaker's presentation.

What's the difference between "has been riveted" and "was interested"?

"Has been riveted" implies a much stronger degree of attention and captivation than "was interested". "Was interested" suggests a mild curiosity, while "has been riveted" suggests a compelling and sustained focus.