preoccupied with

USAGE SUMMARY

'preoccupied with' is a correct phrase in written English and is used to describe being engrossed in or focused on something.
For example, "She was preoccupied with the project, ignoring everything else around her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She's preoccupied with age.

The New Yorker

Are Americans preoccupied with work?

The New Yorker

Their minds are preoccupied with oil.

The New York Times

He was preoccupied with his painting.

The New Yorker

He's currently preoccupied with miniature golf.

The New Yorker

A strange thing to be preoccupied with".

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Cuomo was preoccupied with safety.

The New York Times

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

Andrei became preoccupied with researching gun laws.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preoccupied with" to convey that someone is deeply absorbed in their thoughts or activities, potentially to the exclusion of other considerations. It effectively communicates a state of mental absorption or intense focus.

Common error

Avoid using "preoccupied with" when "concerned with" is more appropriate. "Preoccupied" implies absorption, while "concerned" indicates worry or interest. For example, say "concerned with the safety regulations" rather than "preoccupied with the safety regulations" if the context is about actively addressing safety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preoccupied with" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being absorbed or engrossed in something. Ludwig examples show various subjects being described this way. Ludwig AI states that "preoccupied with" is used to describe being engrossed in or focused on something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "preoccupied with" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone is absorbed in something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a state of being engrossed or focused. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "focused on" or "engrossed in" can be used, "preoccupied with" carries a specific nuance of mental absorption that may be more appropriate in certain situations. Be mindful of not confusing it with "concerned with", which carries a different meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Engrossed in

Emphasizes being completely absorbed, suggesting a deeper level of immersion compared to "preoccupied with".

Wrapped up in

Implies being heavily involved and potentially distracted by something, similar to "preoccupied with" but with a sense of being enveloped.

Focused on

Indicates a deliberate direction of attention, whereas "preoccupied with" can imply a less intentional state of absorption.

Concentrating on

Signifies directing one's mental effort towards something specific, while preoccupied with implies a more internal focus

Consumed by

Indicates that something dominates one's thoughts and actions, suggesting a more intense and potentially negative state than "preoccupied with".

Concerned with

Implies a sense of worry or interest, which may not always be present in "preoccupied with".

Obsessed with

Suggests an excessive and often irrational level of focus, stronger than "preoccupied with".

Engaged with

Implies active and intentional interaction, while "preoccupied with" can denote a more passive state of mental absorption.

Involved in

Suggests active participation or engagement, differing from the more passive state implied by "preoccupied with".

Interested in

Indicates a general feeling of curiosity or concern, less intense than being "preoccupied with".

FAQs

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

You can use "preoccupied with" to describe someone who is engrossed in something. For example, "She was "preoccupied with" her work and didn't notice me enter the room."

What are some alternatives to "preoccupied with"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "focused on", "engrossed in", or "obsessed with".

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

While "preoccupied with" is the standard and more common usage, "preoccupied by" can also be used, although it's less frequent. The meaning is similar, but "preoccupied with" is generally preferred.

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

"Preoccupied with" suggests being absorbed or engrossed in something, while "concerned with" implies worry or interest. The key difference lies in whether the focus is driven by absorption or by care and attention.