is very preoccupying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very preoccupying" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward to native speakers.
It can be used when expressing concern or worry about a particular issue or situation. Example: "The rise in pollution levels is very preoccupying for the health of our community."

Science & Research

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Also: "What is very preoccupying is that there are many other problems and that they not only affect CSIC, but all the other public research organizations and all the universities.

Science Magazine

The concept of victimhood is very preoccupying to me as a therapist and as a human with his own past traumatic experiences.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Meanwhile, it is Scarlett and Scarlett's weave's last night at the Bluebird, and there is a party, but she is very preoccupied with Deacon, who is in jail pretending to be responsible for the car crash that put Rayna in a coma.

Huffington Post

There's this sort of net immigration figure, which the Conservatives are very preoccupied by.

Independent

But those who produce phones or sell phones or develop applications, they are very preoccupied with the operating system.

The Guardian - Tech

"My parents were very preoccupied with this, but I think I'm not the only one to ask for that — not love, but absolute fidelity".

The New York Times

For one thing, as a child, I was very preoccupied with myself and for another, it was "normal" that we were in a state of permanent change.

The Guardian

"About 50 percent of people with anorexia will be able to reach and maintain a normal weight, but most of them are very preoccupied with the calorie content of food," said Dr. Katharine Halmi, professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.

The New York Times - Health

"Some come from families who are very health-food oriented, and many have thin mothers who exercise a lot and are very preoccupied with what they're eating, or older sisters who are concerned about their appearance.

The New York Times

He was very preoccupied with rhythm (the story of him putting down a metronome in front of Brenda Bruce in the Royal Court production of Happy Days is well known) but as music really, as sound.

The Guardian

It wasn't easy to catch life's quirky moments on the wing until lenses and film got fast enough, and besides, photographers were very preoccupied with the serious business of documentation and the dreary cause of improving their status.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is very preoccupying", consider whether a more common synonym like "concerning" or "worrying" might be clearer and more impactful for your audience. These alternatives are often preferred in both formal and informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "is very preoccupying" excessively in formal writing, especially when discussing serious issues. While grammatically correct, it can sound less direct and impactful than stronger alternatives like "is deeply concerning" or "is highly worrying".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very preoccupying" functions as a predicative adjective, describing a subject as causing significant worry or taking up a lot of thought. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's grammatically acceptable but not the most impactful choice.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically correct, the phrase "is very preoccupying" is not a very common expression. Ludwig AI indicates that it is acceptable, but suggests exploring stronger alternatives for clarity and impact, especially in formal settings. It functions as a predicative adjective and aims to convey that something is significantly concerning and demanding of attention. News and scientific sources represent the most frequent contexts. Consider substituting with phrases like "is deeply concerning" or "is highly worrying" for increased impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is deeply concerning

Emphasizes the worrying aspect of a situation, focusing on the negative implications and potential problems.

is highly worrying

Highlights the anxiety-inducing nature of a subject, suggesting a significant cause for concern.

is extremely troubling

Focuses on the disturbing or unsettling quality of something, implying a negative impact.

is a major concern

Indicates that something is a significant issue needing attention, often used in formal contexts.

is quite alarming

Emphasizes the sudden and potentially dangerous nature of something, causing immediate concern.

is intensely absorbing

Shifts the focus to being completely engaged or engrossed in something, rather than direct worry.

is severely disquieting

Highlights the capacity of something to create a feeling of anxiety and unease.

is extremely disconcerting

Focuses on the confusing or unsettling nature of a situation, causing mental discomfort.

is exceptionally gripping

Indicates a captivating and attention-holding quality, diverging from worry to intense interest.

is utterly captivating

Highlights the fascinating and engaging nature of something, drawing attention and interest.

FAQs

What does "is very preoccupying" mean?

The phrase "is very preoccupying" means something is causing significant worry or is taking up a lot of someone's thoughts and attention. It indicates a state of being deeply concerned or absorbed in a particular matter.

What can I say instead of "is very preoccupying"?

You can use alternatives like "is deeply concerning", "is highly worrying", or "is a major concern" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. These alternatives may sound more natural to native English speakers.

Is "is very preoccupying" grammatically correct?

Yes, "is very preoccupying" is grammatically correct, but it is not as common or impactful as some of its alternatives. It may sound slightly awkward or less direct compared to phrases like "is deeply concerning".

In what context is it appropriate to use "is very preoccupying"?

While acceptable in various contexts, "is very preoccupying" is best used when you want to emphasize that something is not only concerning but also significantly absorbing someone's mental energy. However, consider more common alternatives for clarity and impact.