sidetracked by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sidetracked by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone is distracted or diverted from their original task or focus. Example: "I was sidetracked by a phone call while trying to finish my report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We can't get sidetracked by this".

The New York Times

I kept getting sidetracked by celebrity memoirs.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But she got sidetracked by popstardom.

The Guardian

But the donors got sidetracked by the September 11th attacks.

The Economist

Soon, dozens of cases were sidetracked by endless technical argument.

The Guardian

Get sidetracked by Byzantine street markets clogging creakingly medieval warrens.

The Guardian - Travel

That is, if they don't get sidetracked by the food inside.

The New York Times

Paulson didn't want to get sidetracked by issues that he considered extraneous to the immediate crisis.

The New Yorker

But, sidetracked by numerous other commissions, he has yet to make it back.

The New York Times

Olazábal, who had been sidetracked by a debilitating foot injury, admitted it was low.

The New York Times - Sports

Hate is a strong word, and please don't get sidetracked by it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sidetracked by" to clearly indicate that a secondary element caused a shift in focus or progress from the main subject.

Common error

While "sidetracked by" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "diverted by" or "impeded by" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sidetracked by" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating the cause of a deviation from a planned course or intention. Ludwig AI confirms it's frequently used to describe how someone or something gets diverted from their main goal or path.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sidetracked by" is a versatile and common prepositional phrase used to describe the act of being diverted from an original course or intention. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It's prevalent in news and media, but also acceptable in formal and informal contexts. While it effectively communicates a shift in focus, be mindful of its potential informality in highly formal settings, and consider more sophisticated alternatives. The phrase functions to explain why plans have changed, as supported by the numerous examples provided. Some alternatives are "distracted by", "diverted by" or "derailed by".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distracted by

Emphasizes the mental aspect of having one's attention drawn away.

diverted by

Focuses on the act of being turned away from a specific direction or path.

waylaid by

Implies a temporary delay or interruption encountered unexpectedly.

derailed by

Suggests a more significant disruption, often implying a setback.

taken off course by

Highlights the change in direction or plan due to an external influence.

deflected by

Suggests an external force causing deviation from the original path or intention.

interrupted by

Focuses on a temporary cessation of an activity due to an external factor.

drawn away by

Implies a more subtle or alluring distraction.

preoccupied by

Highlights a state of being mentally absorbed in something else, causing distraction.

consumed by

Suggests being completely engrossed, leading to neglect of other tasks.

FAQs

What does "sidetracked by" mean?

The phrase "sidetracked by" means being diverted or distracted from an original intention or course of action by something else.

How can I use "sidetracked by" in a sentence?

You can use "sidetracked by" to show that something caused a deviation from the main topic. For example: "The meeting got "sidetracked by" a discussion about budget cuts."

What are some alternatives to "sidetracked by"?

Some alternatives to "sidetracked by" include "distracted by", "diverted by", or "derailed by" depending on the context.

Is "sidetracked by" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "sidetracked by" may be too informal for some academic or professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives such as "diverted by" or "impeded by".