thoroughly distracted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thoroughly distracted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of being completely unable to focus or pay attention due to various distractions. Example: "During the meeting, I was thoroughly distracted by the noise from the construction outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

And I hesitate to delve further into details of the performances, because I was thoroughly distracted throughout.

The New York Times - Arts

The driver was engaged in a rather heated phone discussion with someone for the entire trip and was thoroughly distracted.

The New York Times

Even though Klinsmann would love to have his best player against Mexico, it does not make sense to take a partially fit, thoroughly distracted Dempsey to Azteca.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

On the other hand, there's Murdoch, as fascinatingly frightening as I'd hoped and a thoroughly distracting presence.

The Guardian - Film

After another conference, the two players decided that perhaps they should conform and carry on, at which point Sergio Garcia appeared on the fairway, cavorting as only he can and being a thoroughly distracting influence.

The Guardian - Sport

Some think Facebook may be too small and young of a company to manufacture its own devices without thoroughly distracting itself, but it's already got many building blocks of a mobile operating system.

TechCrunch

This also needs to dry thoroughly, so distract again.

WikiHow

Whether the team was distracted by the tragedy or not, the Vikings were thoroughly embarrassed on both sides of the ball.

Los Angeles Times

"He was distracted; I was distracted.

The New York Times

"He never got distracted.

Independent

But he got distracted.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thoroughly distracted" to emphasize a complete lack of focus due to significant distractions, reserving it for situations where the distraction is substantial and impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "thoroughly distracted" for minor or fleeting distractions. Using it for trivial interruptions can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thoroughly distracted" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being completely unable to focus or pay attention. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples showcasing its use in describing individuals unable to concentrate due to external or internal factors.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thoroughly distracted" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe a state of being completely unable to focus. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and meaning. It's most frequently found in news and media sources, and less common in formal or academic writing. When using the phrase, remember to reserve it for situations where the distraction is significant. Alternatives such as "completely preoccupied" or "entirely sidetracked" may be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely preoccupied

Replaces "distracted" with "preoccupied", emphasizing absorption in thought.

utterly engrossed elsewhere

Substitutes both "thoroughly distracted" with a phrase highlighting complete mental involvement in something else.

entirely sidetracked

Replaces "distracted" with "sidetracked", focusing on a deviation from the original focus.

wholly diverted

Uses "diverted" to indicate attention being turned away completely.

fully absorbed in something else

Highlights the state of being immersed in an alternative focus, instead of indicating a loss of focus.

completely consumed by thoughts

Emphasizes that the distraction is internal, stemming from one's own thoughts.

lost in thought

Indicates a detachment from the surroundings due to deep contemplation.

preoccupied to the point of obliviousness

Highlights the extent of preoccupation, leading to a lack of awareness of the surroundings.

unable to concentrate

Focuses on the inability to concentrate as the main consequence of the distraction.

having difficulty focusing

Emphasizes the struggle to maintain focus rather than the complete absence of it.

FAQs

How can I use "thoroughly distracted" in a sentence?

You can use "thoroughly distracted" to describe someone who is completely unable to focus on something due to various distractions. For example: "During the presentation, I was "thoroughly distracted" by the noise outside."

What's a more formal alternative to "thoroughly distracted"?

A more formal alternative would be "completely preoccupied" or "entirely engrossed elsewhere", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "thoroughly distracted"?

It's appropriate when the distraction is significant and has a strong impact on someone's ability to focus or pay attention. Avoid using it for minor or fleeting distractions.

What's the difference between "distracted" and "thoroughly distracted"?

"Distracted" implies a general lack of focus, while "thoroughly distracted" suggests a complete inability to concentrate due to overwhelming distractions.