they were captivated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were captivated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is deeply interested or fascinated by something. Example: "As the story unfolded, they were captivated by the intricate plot and vivid characters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

They were captivated by the area's livability.

The New York Times

They were captivated by the view of the southern Catskills, with its layers of mountains.

The New York Times

They were captivated by the swing set, with its bright blue slide, trampoline and glider.

The New York Times

"It was one of those instant ideas that a lot of people found they were captivated by," she says.

Independent

They were captivated by One Brooklyn Bridge Park, a former Jehovah's Witnesses printing plant by the waterfront.

The New York Times

Back in Ridgewood, they were captivated by the old Ridgewood Times building on Cypress Avenue, now a small condominium building.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

I've seen the previous films in the Twilight saga and I thought they were captivating at times but I've never been impressed this much.

Huffington Post

They are not watching graceful sailing, they are captivated by the image of paceful sailing.

Independent

They are captivated by the oldest (McGonagall) and most famous (Harry) people in the room; either that, or they have just been drafted.

The New Yorker

"They're captivated by growth and it's hard to convince them to buy a value fund or a bond fund.

The New York Times

Cultural leaders of all social classes are made in primary school, where they are captivated, possibly for the first time, by the wonder and power of the arts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were captivated" to vividly describe a group's strong positive reaction to something, such as a performance, a view, or an idea. This phrase is effective in conveying a sense of wonder and engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "they were captivated" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "they were enthralled" or "they were fascinated" to maintain reader interest and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were captivated" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a group of individuals experienced a strong sense of fascination or enchantment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, as evidenced by examples from varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

13%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were captivated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys a group's strong fascination or engagement. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various writing contexts, with its primary usage found in news and media sources. When looking to express similar ideas, alternatives such as "they were enthralled" or "they were fascinated" can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were enthralled

Replaces "captivated" with a synonym emphasizing a sense of being spellbound.

they were fascinated

Substitutes "captivated" with a synonym that highlights intellectual interest and curiosity.

they were spellbound

Uses a more figurative term suggesting a magical or irresistible attraction.

they were mesmerized

Similar to "spellbound", but implies a hypnotic or trance-like state of captivation.

they were engrossed

Indicates complete absorption in something, losing track of time and surroundings.

they were riveted

Suggests being firmly fixed or held by something compelling.

they were intrigued

Implies a sense of curiosity and a desire to learn more.

they found it fascinating

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize their personal experience of fascination.

it captured their attention

Shifts the focus to the thing that is doing the captivating, rather than the people being captivated.

it held them spellbound

Like the previous example, shifts the focus to the captivating thing, emphasizing a magical quality.

FAQs

What does "they were captivated" mean?

The phrase "they were captivated" means that a group of people were completely fascinated, charmed, or strongly attracted to something. It implies a sense of wonder and deep engagement.

How can I use "they were captivated" in a sentence?

You can use "they were captivated" to describe a group's reaction to something impressive. For example, "The audience "they were captivated" by the singer's performance", or "They were captivated by the view from the mountaintop".

What can I say instead of "they were captivated"?

You can use alternatives like "they were enthralled", "they were fascinated", or "they were spellbound" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "they was captivated" instead of "they were captivated"?

No, "they was captivated" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they were captivated" because "they" is a plural pronoun and requires the plural form of the verb "to be", which is "were".