is preoccupied with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is preoccupied with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is deeply absorbed or focused on a particular thought, issue, or activity. Example: "She is preoccupied with thoughts of her upcoming presentation, making it hard for her to concentrate on other tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The country is preoccupied with calories.

The New York Times

Berlin, meanwhile, is preoccupied with memorials.

The New York Times

America is preoccupied with avoiding foreign entanglements.

The Economist

Britain's Theresa May is preoccupied with Brexit.

The Washington Post

Some Realist painting is preoccupied with it.

The New York Times - Arts

Assad is preoccupied with his own survival.

The Guardian

Kenya is preoccupied with its own elections.

The Guardian

Eve is preoccupied with writing this book.

The New York Times - Books

Instead, he is preoccupied with the prospective death of Belgium.

The New Yorker

Instead Connelly is preoccupied with her emotional journey.

The New York Times - Books

He is preoccupied with being someone he can admire".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's preoccupation, ensure the object of their focus is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "She is preoccupied with the upcoming deadline" is clearer than "She is preoccupied."

Common error

Avoid using "is preoccupied with" interchangeably with phrases like "is concerned about" if the intended meaning is worry rather than deep focus. "Preoccupied" implies absorption, while "concerned" implies anxiety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is preoccupied with" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of being absorbed or focused on something. Ludwig examples show its usage to describe individuals, organizations, or even abstract concepts being heavily focused on a particular subject or activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

22%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is preoccupied with" effectively conveys a state of deep focus or absorption. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, especially within news media and academic writing. Related phrases include "is absorbed in" and "is engrossed in", offering subtle variations in meaning. Remember to use it to clearly indicate a subject's primary focus, avoiding confusion with terms that suggest worry rather than absorption.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is absorbed in

Focuses on the state of being completely engaged in something, often to the exclusion of other things.

is engrossed in

Highlights a deeper level of immersion and captivation than "is preoccupied with".

is consumed by

Suggests that something dominates one's thoughts or actions to a significant degree.

is fixated on

Implies an obsessive focus, often on a specific detail or idea.

is immersed in

Describes a complete involvement or submersion in an activity or thought.

is wrapped up in

Indicates a state of being very busy or involved with something.

is deeply involved in

Emphasizes the extent of one's participation or engagement.

is obsessed with

Suggests a compulsive and often irrational preoccupation.

is focused on

Highlights a deliberate and concentrated attention on a specific subject or task.

is hung up on

Implies an excessive and often negative focus on something.

FAQs

How can I use "is preoccupied with" in a sentence?

The phrase "is preoccupied with" indicates a state of being deeply absorbed or focused on something. For example, you could say, "The manager "is preoccupied with" the quarterly reports", meaning that the manager's attention is primarily directed toward the quarterly reports.

What are some alternatives to "is preoccupied with"?

You can use alternatives like "is absorbed in", "is engrossed in", or "is focused on" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is preoccupied by" instead of "is preoccupied with"?

While "is preoccupied with" is the more common and generally preferred usage, "is preoccupied by" is not necessarily incorrect but less frequently used. Sticking with "is preoccupied with" ensures clarity and aligns with standard usage.

What's the difference between "is preoccupied with" and "is concerned with"?

"Is preoccupied with" suggests a deep absorption or focus, whereas "is concerned with" implies worry or interest. For example, saying someone "is preoccupied with" a project means they are giving it their full attention. If they "is concerned with" a project, they are worried about its outcome.