preoccupying

USAGE SUMMARY

The word “preoccupying” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or thing that is using most of their attention or energy. For example, “Sue was preoccupying herself with her new project and hardly noticed the time passing by.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Missing goalscoring opportunities is, I feel, less preoccupying for a striker than not being in the position to miss them in the first place.

The Guardian - Sport

In her view their control of energy generation, transmission and distribution is the chief impediment to competition.Energy is again preoccupying Europe.

The Economist

Indeed, with Kurodanomics now dominating Abenomics, the question preoccupying markets is how soon and how dramatically the BOJ will increase its QE.

The Economist

With no overarching issue preoccupying voters still awakening from their summer slumber and with four by-elections set for September, which a general election would pre-empt, Mr Harper presumably has strong reasons for wanting to face the electorate a year before the set date of October 19th 2009.

The Economist

Some firms may also choose to treat the switch to the euro as an opportunity to gain a strategic edge over competitors, meaning they do more than the minimum required.Such flexibility makes the switch to the euro quite unlike the other big challenge preoccupying IT departments, the millennium bug.

The Economist

Libertarians believe that most issues now preoccupying federal lawmakers, such as drugs and abortion, are beyond the scope of the federal government's legislative authority.Libertarians decry protectionism, inefficient bureaucracy and inexplicable tax schemes.

The Economist

Long before an islet submerges, it will become uninhabitable as inland waters become brackish and sea-defences fail.So the legal implications of sinking islands are preoccupying environmental lawyers.

The Economist

The dramatic change in Europe's demographic profile will weigh far more heavily on the continent's future than the institutional minutiae that have been preoccupying the conventioneers.Fertility rates across Europe are now so low that the continent's population is likely to drop markedly over the next 50 years.

The Economist

Moreover, France has the second-highest birth rate in the European Union, sparing it some of the demographic worries preoccupying countries such as Britain, Germany and Italy.Change need not mean trampling on values that the French cherish.

The Economist

As with urban crime, failing urban schools are preoccupying countries the world over.

The Economist

Because Sweden is a rich country, monthly subscriptions are easier to peddle to the masses.In this section Beliebing in streaming I have a stream Super subs Migrating finches Deep controversy Fighting the flab ReprintsToday the question preoccupying Swedish music bosses is how much further streaming can grow.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preoccupying" to describe a state where something is significantly occupying someone's thoughts, often to the exclusion of other things. For example, "The upcoming deadline was preoccupying the entire team."

Common error

Avoid using "preoccupying" when a milder term like "interesting" or "relevant" would be more appropriate. "Preoccupying" suggests a significant degree of mental engagement or worry, not just casual interest.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "preoccupying" is as a present participle or gerund of the verb "preoccupy". It describes something that is currently capturing someone's attention or thoughts. Ludwig AI examples show it often modifies nouns, indicating what issues are currently dominating focus.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preoccupying" functions as a present participle or gerund, describing something that dominates one's thoughts, often with a hint of anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It's frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific sources, signaling a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "absorbing" or "worrying" exist, "preoccupying" specifically emphasizes the extent to which something occupies one's mental space. Remember to use it when you want to highlight the significance of an issue, not just a casual interest.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absorbing

Focuses more on the captivating nature rather than potential worry.

engrossing

Emphasizes the depth of involvement and interest.

consuming

Highlights the extent to which something takes up time and energy.

bothering

Indicates a level of worry or disturbance.

worrying

Directly expresses a state of anxiety or concern.

vexing

Implies causing irritation or annoyance.

haunting

Suggests a persistent and often unsettling presence in one's thoughts.

weighing on

Indicates a burden or source of stress.

on one's mind

A general way to express that something is being thought about.

of concern

Highlights something that is causing anxiety and needs to be resolved.

FAQs

How can I use "preoccupying" in a sentence?

You can use "preoccupying" to describe something that is constantly on someone's mind. For example, "The thought of the exam was constantly preoccupying her."

What can I say instead of "preoccupying"?

You can use alternatives like "absorbing", "engrossing", or "worrying depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "something is preoccupying to someone"?

While grammatically understandable, it's more common to say "something is preoccupying someone" or "someone is preoccupied with something". The latter emphasizes the state of the person.

What's the difference between "preoccupying" and "interesting"?

"Preoccupying" suggests something is consuming your thoughts, often with an element of worry or concern, while "interesting" simply means something is engaging or attention-grabbing but not necessarily causing concern.