to be distracted

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be distracted" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express when someone is not able to focus on the task at hand because their attention is elsewhere. For example: "She was trying to read, but she was easily distracted by the sound of children playing outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She had to be distracted.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's so important not to be distracted".

The Guardian - Sport

Sophie was not to be distracted.

The Guardian - Travel

Indeed, he seemed to be distracted throughout.

The Guardian

Why is it so bad to be distracted?

Princeton University

Lisette was still waiting for Nowicki to be distracted.

The New Yorker

"Are we going to be distracted by his social missteps?

The New York Times

He declined to be distracted by an interview.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't want to be distracted by success.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I'm not going to be distracted," he said.

The New York Times

She didn't want to be distracted from her career.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and focus in your writing, consider if using the active voice provides a more direct and impactful message. For example, instead of "he didn't want "to be distracted" by success", you might say "he didn't want success to distract him".

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice with the phrase "to be distracted" can make your writing sound indirect. Be mindful of sentence structure and consider rephrasing to highlight the distractor rather than the one being distracted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be distracted" primarily functions as an infinitive verb phrase, often used with auxiliary verbs to express possibility, necessity, or desire. Ludwig shows examples where it describes a state of having one's attention diverted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be distracted" is a common and grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to describe a state of diverted attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, academic, and informal settings. While often implying a negative impact, it can also express a desire for entertainment or diversion. When writing, be mindful of using the active voice for more directness, and consider alternatives like "to lose focus" for formal contexts or "to space out" for casual conversations. The key is to maintain clarity and impact in your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to lose focus

Shifts the emphasis to the act of losing focus rather than the state of being distracted.

to be sidetracked

Implies a deviation from the main path or topic.

to have one's attention diverted

Highlights the action of attention being redirected.

to be preoccupied

Suggests being absorbed in one's thoughts, leading to distraction.

to be inattentive

Focuses on the lack of attention being given.

to be remiss

Indicates a neglect of duty or task due to distraction.

to have a wandering mind

Emphasizes the wandering nature of thoughts causing distraction.

to be unfocused

Directly states the lack of focus.

to space out

An informal way of saying someone is not paying attention.

to drift off

Suggests a gradual loss of attention.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "to be distracted" in a formal context?

In formal writing, you can replace "to be distracted" with phrases such as "to lose focus", "to have one's attention diverted", or "to be preoccupied", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's a more casual way to say "to be distracted"?

Informally, you could say "to space out" or "to drift off" to indicate someone is not paying attention. However, these options are not suitable for formal writing.

Is it always negative "to be distracted"?

While "to be distracted" often implies a negative impact on focus or productivity, it can also be positive, such as when someone wants "to be entertained" or "to be diverted" from something unpleasant.

What is the grammatical function of "to be distracted" in a sentence?

The phrase "to be distracted" typically functions as part of a verb phrase, often following auxiliary verbs (e.g., "don't want to be distracted", "easy to be distracted"). It describes a state or potential state of being, where someone's attention is drawn away from the task at hand.