preoccupation about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preoccupation about" is correct and usable in written English.
It expresses the idea of worrying or having an intense focus on something. For example, "Sam had a preoccupation about getting top grades in school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But there was a touch of melancholy, a hint of preoccupation, about his mood.

The New Yorker

Is it about power or (a particularly modern preoccupation) about dementia?

The Guardian - Books

The captain remains the same along with a nagging preoccupation about his dearth of runs; the coach has been replaced; so has half of the team.

The Guardian - Sport

As a measure of that preoccupation, about 1,000 Jews gathered inside the temple before the arrival of Mr. Corzine and Mr. Franks and held a solidarity rally supporting Israel.

The New York Times

The Financial Threat Scale (FTS) was designed to assess levels of fear, uncertainty, and preoccupation about the stability and security of one's finances.

Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics

Following the behavioural experiment, the Shown-Discrepancy Group estheired their SOL more accurately and reported less anxiety and preoccupation about sleep compared to the No-Demonstration Group.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Both the government and the Bank of Spain shared with me their preoccupations about what not listing would mean in terms of trust in the country," he said.

The New York Times

Some Buddhists define their philosophy in contrast to Western religion: Buddhism, they believe, does not have Christian-style preoccupations about things like sex.

The New York Times

It's a sentimentality that allows people to pursue a dream of the war, and which enables their fantasies and preoccupations about it.

The Guardian - Film

He weaves in his own preoccupations about art and film, Diderot and Kant, and what it means to be a spectator and a subject of art.

The Guardian - Arts

None of this is what I expected when I first arrived to interview the 53-year-old director, bristling with preoccupations about a ballet institution that was funded by gambling, car racing and tax exiles.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preoccupation about", ensure the context clearly conveys whether the preoccupation is due to anxiety, interest, or a combination of factors. Clarify the nature of the preoccupation to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "preoccupation about" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "worry about" or "focused on" when speaking or writing informally to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preoccupation about" functions as a noun followed by a preposition, indicating a state of being absorbed or concerned with something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. It's used to express a state of mind dominated by particular thoughts or concerns.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preoccupation about" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a state of being deeply concerned or absorbed in something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and the examples provided show its usage across various contexts, including news, science and formal business settings. While typically neutral to formal, it's crucial to use simpler alternatives in informal settings to ensure a natural tone. When using the phrase, clarify the nature of the preoccupation to avoid ambiguity, as the concern may stem from anxiety, interest, or a combination thereof.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anxiety regarding

Substituting "preoccupation" with "anxiety" implies a heightened state of worry or unease.

concern with

Replacing "preoccupation" with a more common term "concern" simplifies the meaning while retaining the sense of care.

concern regarding

This phrase replaces "preoccupation" with a more general term "concern" and uses "regarding" instead of "about", resulting in a slightly more formal tone.

focus on

This term indicates a concentration of attention, which is similar to preoccupation but without the negative connotation of worry.

worry concerning

This option uses "worry", indicating a higher level of anxiety, and employs "concerning", shifting the tone to a more formal register.

obsession with

This phrase indicates a much stronger, potentially unhealthy level of focus than "preoccupation".

fixation on

This phrase suggests an even more intense and potentially irrational focus compared to "preoccupation".

emphasis on

This option suggests importance and highlights the thing being emphasized rather than the feeling about it.

interest in

This alternative denotes a milder level of engagement or attention than "preoccupation".

attentiveness to

This option suggests a careful observation with concern about something

FAQs

How can I use "preoccupation about" in a sentence?

Use "preoccupation about" to describe a state of being constantly concerned or engrossed with something. For instance, "Her "preoccupation about" the upcoming exam kept her up at night."

What are some alternatives to "preoccupation about"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "preoccupation about" include "concern regarding", "worry concerning", or "focus on". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "preoccupation about" formal or informal?

The phrase "preoccupation about" tends to be more formal than phrases like "thinking about" or "worrying about". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when choosing your words.

What's the difference between "preoccupation about" and "obsession with"?

"Obsession with" implies a much stronger, potentially unhealthy level of focus than "preoccupation about". "Preoccupation" suggests concern or absorption, while "obsession" suggests an uncontrollable compulsion.