Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

that's captivating

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The question becomes then, how do you take what is essentially a one-man show with James Franco as Ralston and make into a 93 minute film that's captivating and interesting - especially when we all know how it's going to end?

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The "B" in the Dutch Caribbean's ABC islands, Bonaire has been a destination that's captivated divers for decades.

News & Media

Forbes

The marble racing craze that's captivated the internet Jump to media player Millions of people are watching marbles race through intricate custom made tracks online.

News & Media

BBC

It was, though, the start of a movement that's captivated young Brits ever since.

News & Media

Vice

Officials' inability to lock shit down has been one of the subplots of a story that's captivated the nation by being alternately terrifying and salacious.

News & Media

Vice

It's a great opportunity to discuss a matter that's captivated media attention since White House officials disseminated their budget outline.

News & Media

Huffington Post

It's not something to rush through, but it is your chance to put your stamp on the field that's captivated you.

But it's Minnie's story that is captivating, made even better by a naked performance, literally and figuratively, by Powley.

"No one really took much notice of her until she got in front of the camera," said Steve Shaw, the magazine's founder, who said that "she had something that was captivating".

News & Media

The New York Times

I cannot thank you enough for bringing these issues to the public's consciousness and doing so in a manner that is captivating, entertaining and educational.

News & Media

HuffPost

The movie double-takes and hallucinates about itself, in ways that are captivating, exasperating.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The contraction 'that's' makes the tone suitable for conversational reviews, blog posts, and modern journalism, but consider using the full form 'that is' for formal academic essays.

Common error

Do not confuse "that's captivating" (describing the object that holds interest) with "that's captivated" (describing a person who is currently under a spell). For example, a movie is captivating, but the audience is captivated.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that's captivating" functions as a relative clause fragment consisting of the relative pronoun 'that', the contracted linking verb 'is', and the present participle used as an adjective 'captivating'. In Ludwig, it frequently acts as a post-modifier for nouns like 'story', 'film', or 'performance', providing immediate descriptive evaluation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "that's captivating" is a versatile and punchy linguistic tool used to denote something that commands absolute attention. Ludwig AI examples show its prevalence in News & Media, particularly when critics or reporters describe artistic works or unique phenomena. While its contracted form makes it lean towards a Neutral or slightly informal register, its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist confirms its status as a reliable choice for professional storytellers. Writers should be careful not to over-use it as a cliché and instead pair it with specific details that explain why something holds such a grip on the audience. Overall, it remains one of the most effective ways to characterize a truly engaging experience in modern English.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "that's captivating"?

You can use alternatives like "that's mesmerizing", "it's fascinating", or "that's gripping" depending on the level of intensity you want to convey.

Is "that's captivating" too informal for professional writing?

While the contraction is common in news outlets like "The New York Times", for highly formal business reports or academic papers, it is safer to use the uncontracted form "that is captivating".

How do I use "that's captivating" in a sentence?

It usually functions as a relative clause at the end of a description, such as: "She told a story "that's captivating" and deeply moving".

What is the difference between "that's captivating" and "that's interesting"?

The phrase "that's interesting" suggests curiosity, whereas "that's captivating" implies a much stronger emotional or visual hold on the observer.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: