preoccupied with her

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preoccupied with her" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is absorbed in thoughts or concerns about a particular person. Example: "He seemed preoccupied with her, often lost in thought whenever she was around."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Were Woolf's contemporaries preoccupied with her nose?

The New York Times

Instead Connelly is preoccupied with her emotional journey.

The New York Times - Books

It's odd that someone so preoccupied with her image hasn't gotten this across better.

The Economist

But as well as bomb-making she appears to have been preoccupied with her personal appearance.

The Guardian

True, mother is a little remote, and preoccupied with her best-friendship with a Roman Catholic nun.

The New York Times

WikiLeaks believed that Poitras was too timid, and too preoccupied with her film, to release more of them.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Oxford Art Online, a widely accepted academic source, cites a 1974 British Museum catalog that defines a portrait as an image "in which the artist is engaged with the personality of his sitter and is preoccupied with his or her characterization as an individual".

The New York Times

With a transfer of power to a civilian president promised within just four months, almost everyone in the Egyptian government, including the 19 members of the ruling military council, appears preoccupied with his or her own personal fate after the generals leave power, American and Egyptian officials say.

The New York Times

If you think your agent is preoccupied with his or her own interests, it's time to find another one.

Forbes

Wothaya is grateful, but worries that the Canadian immigration officials reviewing her case are too preoccupied with making her prove her sexuality, rather than on the persecution she faced back home.

Vice

As she watched her own parent decline, Mrs. Derks became preoccupied with sparing her children the expense of her final years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preoccupied with her" to illustrate a character's internal state, revealing their motivations or emotional condition in a subtle yet effective way. This phrase is particularly useful in narrative writing to convey nuanced feelings without explicitly stating them.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "preoccupied with her" in close proximity. Employ synonyms like "absorbed in her" or "engrossed in her" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preoccupied with her" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a subject to indicate a state of being absorbed in thoughts or concerns about a specific female individual. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating its usage in describing a character's emotional state or focus.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preoccupied with her" is a versatile phrase used to describe a state of being deeply absorbed in thoughts or concerns about a specific woman. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media, as well as informal contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's crucial to consider the context to understand the nature and intensity of the preoccupation. To enhance writing, vary the phrase with synonyms like "absorbed in her" or "engrossed in her" to avoid repetition and refine the intended nuance. When using the phrase "preoccupied with her", be sure to consider the implications of your expression and the effect it has on your writing's overall style and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absorbed in her

Emphasizes complete mental engagement, possibly to the exclusion of other things.

engrossed in her

Indicates being completely occupied with someone or something.

fixated on her

Suggests an obsessive level of attention.

obsessed with her

Implies an unhealthy or excessive preoccupation.

focused on her

Highlights a deliberate and concentrated attention.

taken up with her

Indicates that someone's time and attention are largely consumed.

consumed by her

Suggests a complete absorption, often implying a loss of self.

wrapped up in her

Implies being so involved that one is unaware of other things.

attentive to her

Indicates being observant and responsive to someone's needs or actions.

interested in her

Suggests a general curiosity or concern for someone.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "preoccupied with her"?

Being "preoccupied with her" means that someone is constantly thinking about her, often to the point of distraction from other matters. It suggests a strong focus of attention and thought on a particular person.

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

You might say, "He seemed "preoccupied with her", always glancing in her direction during the meeting". This indicates his thoughts were focused on her.

What are some alternatives to "preoccupied with her"?

Alternatives include "absorbed in her", "engrossed in her", or "fixated on her", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "preoccupied with her" a formal or informal expression?

"Preoccupied with her" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone of the writing than on the phrase itself.