preoccupied with someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preoccupied with someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being absorbed or engrossed in thoughts about a particular person, often to the point of distraction. Example: "She seemed preoccupied with someone, often staring off into the distance with a thoughtful expression."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If a patient was preoccupied with someone he was resolved never to forgive, Heather might say that this unforgiveness was like bondage, and that if he forgave the person who had injured him that person would no longer be his jailer.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He is preoccupied with being someone he can admire".

The New Yorker

It is that hint of two things: someone careful of how he's perceived, of how his actions and words feed into his public persona; and someone preoccupied with a variety of ideas, thoughts and perceptions – someone weighing a lot with their mind.

The Guardian - Sport

Similarly the halting rhythm of the show, skipping like a scratchy record tended by someone preoccupied with other matters, comes across as more an artistic defect than a representation of the couple's stuttering, stuck relationship.

The New York Times - Arts

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

The Economist

Again, a contradiction: How had dating someone who was preoccupied with transitioning become stable and even mundane?

The New York Times

Try not to fret about the bad day, everyone has them, and we are generally too preoccupied with our own stuff to remember someone else's folly for more than a passing moment.

WikiHow

Someone else is still bored with both, preoccupied with a bit of three-dimensional chalk art made to look like gummy bears.

Huffington Post

Someone who is acting distant or strange may not be cheating; they may be preoccupied with work or a family issue.

WikiHow

Stefani, preoccupied with her baby Kingston Rossdale, cancelled their session and commented that she "didn't want to go through the pain of trying to work with someone [she] didn't know".

Wikipedia

She's preoccupied with age.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preoccupied with someone" to subtly convey deep thought or concern about a specific individual without necessarily implying negativity or obsession.

Common error

Avoid using "preoccupied with someone" when a stronger term like "obsessed with someone" or "fixated on someone" is more accurate, as "preoccupied" can sometimes downplay the intensity of the focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preoccupied with someone" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject. It describes a state of being mentally focused or absorbed in thoughts about another person. As Ludwig AI points out, this describes the state of being deeply thoughtful or concerned about a particular person.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "preoccupied with someone" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon way to describe a state of being absorbed in thoughts about another person. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. While it can be used in various contexts, it appears most frequently in news and media. When choosing this phrase, consider whether a stronger or more nuanced term like "obsessed with" or "fixated on" might be more accurate. This phrase is useful for subtly conveying deep thought or concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absorbed in thoughts of someone

Focuses on the mental absorption aspect.

engrossed with someone

Highlights a deep level of engagement.

fixated on someone

Suggests an obsessive level of attention.

obsessed with someone

Indicates a strong, often unhealthy, preoccupation.

concerned about someone

Implies worry or care for the person.

worried about someone

Emphasizes anxiety and unease.

thinking constantly about someone

Directly states the persistent thought.

caught up in thoughts of someone

Suggests being mentally trapped.

very interested in someone

Focuses more on interest.

attentive to someone

Highlights focused attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "preoccupied with someone" to describe someone who is deeply absorbed in thoughts about a particular person. For example, "She seemed "preoccupied with someone", often staring off into the distance with a thoughtful expression".

What's a less intense way to say someone is obsessed with another person?

Instead of saying someone is obsessed, which can sound extreme, you could say they are "preoccupied with someone" or "absorbed in thoughts of someone".

What are some alternatives to "preoccupied with someone"?

Alternatives include "absorbed in thoughts of someone", "engrossed with someone", or "fixated on someone", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "preoccupied with someone"?

It's appropriate when you want to indicate that someone is spending a significant amount of time thinking about another person, to the point where it may affect their focus on other things.