preoccupied with their thoughts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preoccupied with their thoughts" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is deeply absorbed or distracted by their own thoughts, often to the point of being unaware of their surroundings. Example: "She sat quietly in the café, preoccupied with her thoughts, oblivious to the bustling crowd around her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Due to a hectic lifestyle, business owners will find themselves laying awake at night, preoccupied with their thoughts.

Huffington Post

A number of patients noted that focusing on their symptoms made them more preoccupied with their thoughts, and served as a reminder of past periods of acute illness.

BMC Psychiatry

It is important to note, however, that not all responses were positive, with some participants identifying that focusing on symptoms made them preoccupied with their thoughts or reminded them of past phases of acute illness [ 27].

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

No easier to know, now, that on that spring night, among the thousands out in that northern English city, leaving pubs or walking home from a meal, preoccupied with their banal thoughts and quietly reassuring mundanities, there was a person whose thoughts were not banal or mundane at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

Villagers are preoccupied with their own daily survival.

The New York Times

Europeans are preoccupied with their continent's crisis of confidence.

The New York Times

Naturally, his subordinates were preoccupied with their own personal welfare.

Harvard Business Review

But they were preoccupied with their own problems.

The Guardian

Serbia itself hardly seems preoccupied with their problems.

The New York Times

The phone and cable companies are preoccupied with their own deals.

The New Yorker

Lawmakers there have been preoccupied with their own state pension crisis.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preoccupied with their thoughts" to vividly portray a character or group as introspective, detached, or intensely focused on internal matters. It is particularly effective when illustrating a contrast between inner mental activity and external surroundings.

Common error

Avoid using "preoccupied with their thoughts" when simpler alternatives like "thinking" or "pondering" would suffice. The phrase carries a weight that is not always necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preoccupied with their thoughts" functions primarily as a descriptive element, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of mental absorption. It illustrates a character's inner state, as Ludwig shows in example sentences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "preoccupied with their thoughts" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe someone deeply absorbed in their inner musings. Although, according to Ludwig, it is relatively rare in usage, it effectively conveys introspection or distraction. The phrase appears in news, media, and scientific contexts. When simpler wording suffices, the phrase should not be overused. Semantically related alternatives include phrases like "lost in their own thoughts" or "absorbed in their reflections", which may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lost in their own thoughts

Highlights a state of mental detachment from the surroundings.

deep in thought

A simpler, more common way to express intense thinking.

absorbed in their reflections

Emphasizes introspective thinking and contemplation.

engrossed in contemplation

Suggests deep and focused thinking on a particular subject.

caught up in their musings

Describes a state of being passively carried away by one's thoughts.

immersed in their inner world

Emphasizes a strong detachment from external reality.

focused on their mental landscape

Highlights the internal and subjective nature of their thoughts.

ruminating on their ideas

Implies a more cyclical and potentially anxious form of thinking.

intently considering their options

Focuses on the deliberate and purposeful nature of their thinking.

brooding over their concerns

Suggests a negative or troubled state of mind.

FAQs

What does "preoccupied with their thoughts" mean?

It means someone is so absorbed in their own thinking that they are largely unaware of what is happening around them. They might be deeply considering a problem, daydreaming, or lost in introspection.

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

Example: "She sat at the cafe, "preoccupied with their thoughts", and didn't notice the rain starting."

What are some alternatives to "preoccupied with their thoughts"?

Consider using phrases like "lost in their own thoughts", "absorbed in their reflections", or "deep in thought" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "preoccupied by their thoughts"?

While "preoccupied with their thoughts" is the more common and accepted phrasing, "preoccupied by their thoughts" isn't grammatically incorrect but sounds less natural. "With" emphasizes the content of the thoughts, while "by" suggests the thoughts are causing the preoccupation.