is engulfed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is engulfed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is completely surrounded or overwhelmed by something else, often in a dramatic or intense manner. Example: "The village is engulfed in flames after the wildfire spread rapidly through the dry brush."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The country is engulfed.

The New York Times - Sports

Here all that is engulfed by chocolate.

The New York Times - Food

The world is engulfed by darkness.

The Guardian - Books

But southern Somalia is engulfed in a power struggle.

The Economist

Good thing the N.F.L. is engulfed in only metaphorical flames.

The New York Times - Sports

The DDS shows high stability in saline and is engulfed by cancer cells.

Materials Letters

When an unsuspecting prey approaches the luminous lure, it is engulfed in the fish's large jaw.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Not so this year, when the Catholic church in the United States is engulfed in scandal.

The Economist

Eventually, the car is engulfed by a ferocious and madcap anti-capitalist rally.

The New Yorker

Reading the comments, which are like "a wildfire, out of control", she is engulfed by shame.

The Guardian - Books

How about until the earth is engulfed by the sun expanding into a red giant?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is engulfed" to vividly describe situations where something is completely surrounded or overcome, creating a strong sense of being enveloped.

Common error

Avoid using "is engulfed" in situations that don't require a strong or dramatic tone. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "is surrounded by" or "is covered by" when the context is less intense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is engulfed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being completely surrounded or overwhelmed. Ludwig shows that the phrase is often used to describe intense situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is engulfed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase that vividly describes a state of being completely surrounded or overwhelmed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s most commonly found in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While versatile, it's best used to convey a sense of intensity or drama, and should be replaced with more neutral terms like "is surrounded by" in less impactful contexts. Related phrases include "is consumed by", "is submerged in", and "is overwhelmed by", offering a range of options for expressing similar ideas with varying degrees of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is consumed by

Focuses on the idea of something being completely used up or destroyed by something else.

is submerged in

Emphasizes the idea of being completely covered or immersed in something, often a liquid or abstract concept.

is enveloped in

Suggests a gentle or protective covering, rather than a destructive one.

is surrounded by

Highlights the idea of being enclosed on all sides, without necessarily implying being overwhelmed.

is swamped by

Implies being overwhelmed by a large quantity of something, often tasks or obligations.

is overcome by

Focuses on the emotional or mental state of being overpowered by something.

is saturated with

Suggests a thorough permeation or infusion of something.

is inundated with

Emphasizes being flooded or overwhelmed by a large amount of something.

is steeped in

Implies being deeply immersed or saturated in something, often a tradition or atmosphere.

is absorbed in

Suggests being completely focused or engaged in something, to the exclusion of other things.

FAQs

How can I use "is engulfed" in a sentence?

The phrase "is engulfed" describes something being completely surrounded or overwhelmed. For example, "The city is engulfed in smoke from the wildfires."

What can I say instead of "is engulfed"?

You can use alternatives like "is consumed by", "is surrounded by", or "is overwhelmed by" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is engulfed" or "was engulfed"?

Both "is engulfed" and "was engulfed" are grammatically correct, but they differ in tense. "Is engulfed" is present tense, while "was engulfed" is past tense. Choose the tense that aligns with the timing of the event you're describing.

What's the difference between "is engulfed" and "is surrounded"?

"Is engulfed" implies a more complete and often overwhelming or destructive covering, while "is surrounded" simply means being enclosed on all sides without necessarily implying being overwhelmed. For example "The house is surrounded by trees" implies the trees are simply near the house whereas "The house is engulfed in flames" suggests destruction.