overcome by something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overcome by something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is affected or overwhelmed by a particular emotion, feeling, or circumstance. Example: "She was overcome by grief after hearing the news of her friend's passing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I'm a Villa fan… I must have been overcome by something… this morning.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But much of this uncertainty can be overcome by knowing something of the anatomy.

WikiHow

You are always looking forward to overcoming something, finding something, figuring something out.

TechCrunch

But three years ago, as the door was closing on a flight for Las Vegas, he was overcome by a feeling that something was wrong.

The New York Times

And at that moment, for reasons you will never quite understand, you are overcome by the feeling, the premonition, that something in your life is about to change.

The New Yorker

Domestic violence is something that you can overcome by empowering women.

Harvard University

It is something Cloud has to overcome by himself".

Wikipedia

Somewhat astonished, I was overcome by curiosity.

Independent

Or he was overcome by listmania.

The New York Times - Sports

These disadvantages are overcome by vegetative propagation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Instead, I was overcome by sweeping generalities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overcome by something", ensure the context clearly indicates what the 'something' is. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "overcome by something" without specifying the 'something'. Vague references weaken your message. Instead, be specific: "overcome by grief", "overcome by emotion", etc.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overcome by something" primarily functions as a descriptive phrase, often acting as a predicate adjective modifying a subject. It indicates a state where a person or entity is overpowered or significantly affected by a particular feeling, emotion, or situation. Ludwig AI examples show its use in describing emotional states or reactions to events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "overcome by something" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English to describe the state of being overwhelmed or significantly affected by a particular emotion, feeling, or circumstance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides various examples demonstrating its use across different contexts. While alternatives like "overwhelmed by something" or "affected by something" exist, it's crucial to specify the 'something' to avoid vagueness. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Academia sources, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication, maintaining a relatively neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelmed by something

Replaces "overcome" with "overwhelmed", emphasizing the feeling of being overpowered.

affected by something

Uses "affected" as a broader term for being influenced, lessening the intensity of the feeling.

consumed by something

Implies a more complete and encompassing effect, suggesting something takes over entirely.

gripped by something

Indicates a sudden and forceful impact, as if something has seized control.

taken over by something

Suggests a complete takeover, where something else is now in control.

succumbed to something

Implies a yielding or giving in to an overpowering force or emotion.

influenced by something

A milder term suggesting a more subtle impact or effect.

impacted by something

Similar to "affected", but can also imply a more significant or forceful effect.

moved by something

Suggests an emotional impact, often leading to a change in feeling or action.

swayed by something

Indicates being persuaded or influenced to a certain course of action or belief.

FAQs

How can I use "overcome by something" in a sentence?

You can use "overcome by something" to describe a situation where someone is strongly affected by an emotion, feeling, or circumstance. For instance, "She was "overcome by grief" after hearing the news".

What are some alternatives to "overcome by something"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives such as "overwhelmed by something", "affected by something", or "consumed by something".

Is it better to say "overcome with" or "overcome by" something?

"Overcome by" is generally preferred when referring to an external force or feeling that affects someone. "Overcome with" can also be correct, but "overcome by" is more common in contemporary usage.

Can "overcome by something" refer to a positive experience?

Yes, it can. While often used in negative contexts (e.g., "overcome by sadness"), it can also describe being intensely affected by a positive experience, such as being "overcome by joy".