he was overcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was overcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is overwhelmed by emotions, sensations, or circumstances. Example: "After hearing the news of his promotion, he was overcome with joy and gratitude."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Or he was overcome by listmania.

The New York Times - Sports

He was overcome with guilt.

The New Yorker

Fifteen minutes later, he was overcome with grief.

The New York Times - Sports

He was overcome, and so he wrote a stage version.

The New York Times

As he read it, he was overcome by ambivalence.

The Guardian - Books

When he came to, he was overcome with shame.

The New Yorker

When he arrived at the village with three other American vets he was overcome with feeling.

The New Yorker

But the next morning when Archie tried to get up he was overcome by dizziness.

The New Yorker

He was overcome by stage fright, and his first performance was his last.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His celebrations seemed understated, but only because he was overcome by emotion.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In this moment he was overcome by the feeling that he was leading others astray.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was overcome" to express a powerful emotional or physical response to something. Ensure the context clearly indicates what he was overcome by, whether it's emotion, fumes, or another force.

Common error

Avoid using "he was overcome" without specifying what caused him to be overcome. Incomplete sentences like "He was overcome" lack clarity. Always include the cause: "He was overcome by grief."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was overcome" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received an action or was affected by an external force or emotion. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was overcome" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe someone being overpowered by emotions, sensations, or circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While similar to "he was overwhelmed", it can imply a more immediate and intense impact. When using this phrase, clarity is key; always specify what caused the person to be overcome. Alternatives include "he was moved" and "he was affected", depending on the context. Overall, "he was overcome" is a versatile phrase for expressing significant emotional or physical reactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was overwhelmed

Replaces "overcome" with a direct synonym, focusing on the feeling of being overpowered.

he was moved

Suggests an emotional impact, similar to being overcome but emphasizes the emotional aspect.

he was affected

Indicates that he experienced some sort of impact, which could be emotional or physical.

he was defeated

Focuses on being overpowered, especially in a struggle or competition.

he succumbed

Emphasizes yielding to pressure or influence.

he was conquered

Highlights being subdued or dominated by something.

he was subdued

Suggests a state of being brought under control or calmed.

he was influenced

Focuses on the impact of external factors on his actions or thoughts.

he was swayed

Indicates that he was persuaded or influenced to change his opinion or course of action.

he was overtaken

Suggests something happened to him suddenly and unexpectedly.

FAQs

How can I use "he was overcome" in a sentence?

Use "he was overcome" to describe a situation where someone is overpowered by a feeling, force, or event. For example, "He was overcome by emotion" or "He was overcome by the fumes".

What's the difference between "he was overcome" and "he was overwhelmed"?

Both phrases are very similar, but "he was overcome" can sometimes imply a more sudden or intense experience, while "he was overwhelmed" may suggest a more gradual build-up of pressure or emotion.

Is it correct to say "he was overcome with" something?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "he was overcome with" is often followed by a noun that represents the emotion or force affecting the person. For example, "He was overcome with joy".

What can I say instead of "he was overcome"?

You can use alternatives like "he was moved", "he was affected", or "he was defeated" depending on the specific context.