preoccupied with work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preoccupied with work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that someone is focused on or concentrating intently on something. For example, "John was so preoccupied with work that he didn't even notice the storm outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Are Americans preoccupied with work?

The New Yorker

Or the parents find themselves preoccupied with work and debts.

The New York Times

By Elizabeth Minkel August 10, 2011 Are Americans preoccupied with work?

The New Yorker

The gist: He shouldn't be pencil thin or stare too hard at shopping bills or be preoccupied with work.

The New York Times

Most of Ms. Storr's clients are single and too preoccupied with work to organize their personal lives, she says.

The New York Times

Both were preoccupied with work on their land and Mahmoud was effectively brought up by his grandfather.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The workforce is ageing and people are increasingly preoccupied with work-life balance and the ability to reconcile work and caring responsibilities.

The Guardian - Money

Wrapped up in our selves and preoccupied with working out our salvation, we defeat our purpose.

The Guardian - Opinion

When he started at Manual as a freshman, he'd been preoccupied with working as a drug runner for the Southside Sureños, a gang that he had joined three years earlier, at the age of eleven.

The New Yorker

He became preoccupied with working out the logistics of his new destination, what would be happening during freshers' week, and ensuring he knew how to make scrambled eggs once he got there.

The Guardian

These were ideas simultaneously being explored in visual art, which was engaged in a similar resetting of boundaries as Pop, Minimalism and conceptual art replaced Abstract Expressionism, with which modern dance was closely aligned; for one, both were preoccupied with working on the floor, as in the paintings of Jackson Pollock and the dances of Martha Graham.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use alternatives like "focused on work" or "busy with work" if you want to convey that somebody is dedicating time to their professional activities.

Common error

Avoid using "preoccupied with work" when the situation merely describes someone diligently performing their job. This phrase implies a more profound level of immersion that can border on obsession, potentially causing a disregard for other responsibilities or relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preoccupied with work" functions as an adjectival phrase describing someone's state of being intensely focused on their job. Ludwig confirms its usability, indicating its role in modifying nouns to specify a state of absorption in professional activities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "preoccupied with work" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone deeply engrossed in their job, often suggesting a neglect of other areas of life. Ludwig confirms this, offering various examples from diverse sources. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context to avoid overstating the level of absorption. Alternatives like "focused on work" or "busy with work" may be more appropriate in certain situations. Use "preoccupied with work" when you want to emphasize that the person's thoughts and energies are primarily geared towards his job.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absorbed in work

Focuses more on the state of being completely engaged, less on potential neglect of other areas.

engrossed in work

Implies a very deep level of mental engagement, possibly to the exclusion of other things.

consumed by work

Suggests that work is taking up a significant amount of time and mental energy, potentially in a negative way.

devoted to work

Emphasizes dedication and commitment, rather than being simply busy.

immersed in work

Highlights the feeling of being surrounded or enveloped by work.

focused on work

A more neutral and general term for paying attention to work.

caught up in work

Suggests a temporary state of being very busy with work.

involved in work

Indicates participation and engagement in work activities.

busy with work

A simple and direct way of saying someone is occupied with work.

wrapped up in work

Similar to "absorbed", but may suggest a more temporary or circumstantial focus.

FAQs

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

Being "preoccupied with work" means you're so focused on your job that it dominates your thoughts and actions, potentially to the detriment of other areas of your life. It suggests a deep level of mental engagement and absorption in professional activities.

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

You might say, "John was so "absorbed in work" that he forgot to pick up the kids from school" or "The CEO was "engrossed in work", barely taking breaks during the week".

What are some alternatives to "preoccupied with work"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "focused on work", "busy with work", "devoted to work", or "immersed in work". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it negative to say someone is "preoccupied with work"?

It can be negative, as it often implies that the person is neglecting other important aspects of their life due to their focus on work. However, it's not inherently negative; it depends on the context and the speaker's intention.