preoccupied my mind

USAGE SUMMARY

"preoccupied my mind" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been taking a lot of someone's attention or energy. For example: The upcoming project has been preoccupying my mind lately.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This always preoccupied my mind.

The New Yorker

I really don't remember, but I do know that sex has preoccupied my mind for a long, long time.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I didn't want to talk about it before because the situation at BO is serious and is preoccupying my mind".

The Guardian - Sport

Meanwhile I was asking myself, "What happens between two icons?" This was the thought preoccupying my mind: there is a space that is not geographical within which you discover the icon as a part of yourself, and the icon is living within, rather than an external object.

The Guardian - Opinion

"From age thirty-nine unowl now, this has preoccupied my life".

Vice

For months my mind was preoccupied with what gets left behind.

The New Yorker

My mind was preoccupied by the comments from those who are certain that I'm "toast" — or will be, as soon as the road pitches up near the foot of the Tourmalet, five weeks from Sunday.

The New York Times

As Gee and I went through the Austrian pavilion, my mind was preoccupied with the worry that Daddy would be repeating yesterday's performance.

Huffington Post

My mind was preoccupied with an upcoming baby shower I was hosting, the low air pressure on the front right tire, and making copies of a community-picnic flier.

Huffington Post

He would say on occasion, 'My ballets won't last for 20 years.' It wasn't something that preoccupied his mind".

The New York Times - Magazine

In this altered state of being, my mind was no longer preoccupied with the billions of details that my brain routinely used to define and conduct my life...

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preoccupied my mind" when you want to express that a particular thought or concern is taking up a significant amount of your mental space and attention.

Common error

While effective, relying too heavily on "preoccupied my mind" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "weighed heavily on my mind" or "consumed my thoughts" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preoccupied my mind" functions as a verb phrase, expressing a state of being where someone's thoughts are dominated by a particular concern or subject. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in written English. It describes a condition of mental absorption.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "preoccupied my mind" is a grammatically sound and neutrally registered expression used to indicate that a particular thought or concern is significantly occupying one's mental space. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is acceptable in written English. Although common in news and media, alternative phrases like "weighed heavily on my mind" or "consumed my thoughts" can be used to avoid repetition and fine-tune the intended meaning. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of overuse in writing. Ludwig's examples illustrate how this phrase is used to describe persistent and dominating thoughts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was constantly on my mind

Indicates persistent and recurring thoughts.

weighed heavily on my mind

Emphasizes the burden or stress associated with the thoughts.

consumed my thoughts

Suggests a complete mental absorption, leaving little room for other considerations.

filled my head

Implies that the thoughts are pervasive and dominant.

dominated my thinking

Highlights the controlling influence of the thoughts.

engrossed my attention

Focuses on the captivating nature of the thoughts.

absorbed my mental energy

Highlights the expenditure of mental resources on the thoughts.

captured my imagination

Emphasizes the stimulating and engaging quality of the thoughts.

dwelt in my consciousness

Implies a deep and persistent presence in one's awareness.

haunted my waking hours

Suggests an unsettling and intrusive presence of the thoughts.

FAQs

How can I use "preoccupied my mind" in a sentence?

You can use "preoccupied my mind" to indicate that a specific thought or concern has been consistently taking up your attention. For example, "The upcoming presentation has preoccupied my mind all week".

What are some alternatives to "preoccupied my mind"?

Alternatives include "weighed heavily on my mind", "consumed my thoughts", or "was constantly on my mind", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "my mind was preoccupied"?

Yes, "my mind was preoccupied" is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning to "preoccupied my mind", although the latter is more direct in attributing the cause of preoccupation.

What's the difference between "preoccupied my mind" and "concerned me"?

"Preoccupied my mind" suggests a persistent and often consuming focus, while "concerned me" indicates worry or anxiety. Something that "preoccupied my mind" might not necessarily cause worry, but it does take up significant mental space.