to be preoccupied with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be preoccupied with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is worried or consumed with something, and who has little or no time to think of anything else. Example: She was so preoccupied with what she had to do that she forgot to call her friend.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To be preoccupied with equality under such circumstances is to be preoccupied with a foregone conclusion.

The New York Times - Books

It is not Toomer's style to be preoccupied with milestones.

The New York Times - Sports

He no longer wanted the Catholic hierarchy to be preoccupied with "small-minded rules".

The Guardian - Opinion

As a psychoanalyst, I tend not to be preoccupied with diagnostic criteria.

The New York Times

We are both quite private people, who tend to be preoccupied with our own work.

The Guardian - Music

In Europe, politicians concerned about the environment tend to be preoccupied with carbon emissions and climate change.

Yale University

They claimed to be preoccupied with getting themselves in shape and healthy, which they said they accomplished.

The New York Times - Sports

The young tend to be preoccupied with popular music, especially that imported from the United States and the United Kingdom.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They tend to be preoccupied with the yawning wealth gap or the crisply-executed shadow gap, but rarely both.

The Guardian - Arts

She said, "For us to be preoccupied with colonial architecture is a kind of manifestation of self-hatred.

The New York Times - Travel

MELBOURNE, Australia — The beginning of a calendar year normally would seem a strange time to be preoccupied with endings.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be preoccupied with" when you want to convey that someone's thoughts are largely or entirely taken up by a particular matter, often to the exclusion of other concerns.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "to be preoccupied with" can sometimes sound overly informal or conversational in highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "to be deeply engaged in" or "to be significantly invested in" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be preoccupied with" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of being deeply absorbed or concerned with something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes someone whose thoughts are mainly taken up by a particular matter. Examples show it used to describe focus on deadlines, issues, or even personal tragedies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be preoccupied with" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone whose thoughts are dominated by a particular subject. As Ludwig AI states, it indicates a state of worry or intense focus. While versatile, consider the context and audience when choosing between this and more formal alternatives. Its frequent appearance in News & Media confirms its broad applicability, while its slightly less common use in Academic contexts suggests considering more formal alternatives in those specific scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be absorbed in

Focuses more on the intensity of immersion rather than worry or concern.

to be engrossed in

Implies a complete and captivating interest, potentially overshadowing other concerns.

to be immersed in

Emphasizes a deep involvement or engagement, like being surrounded by something.

to be wrapped up in

Similar to 'absorbed', but can also suggest a sense of being constrained or limited by the preoccupation.

to be consumed by

Suggests a dominating influence, where the subject takes up most of one's thoughts and energy.

to be deeply involved in

Highlights a significant commitment or dedication to something, rather than just worry.

to be caught up in

Implies a distraction or diversion, often leading to neglect of other responsibilities.

to be fixated on

Highlights an obsessive focus, often implying an irrational or excessive interest.

to be hung up on

Indicates an emotional attachment or inability to move past a particular thought or issue.

to be obsessed with

Denotes an extreme and often unhealthy level of preoccupation, bordering on compulsion.

FAQs

How can I use "to be preoccupied with" in a sentence?

You can use "to be preoccupied with" to describe someone whose thoughts are mainly focused on a particular subject. For example, "She seemed "to be preoccupied with" the upcoming deadline".

What are some alternatives to "to be preoccupied with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to be absorbed in", "to be engrossed in", or "to be consumed by".

Is it better to use "to be preoccupied with" or "to be concerned with"?

"To be preoccupied with" suggests a more intense and potentially distracting level of focus, whereas "to be concerned with" implies a more general sense of worry or interest.

What does it mean when someone is described as "to be preoccupied with" something?

It suggests that the person is thinking about something a great deal, often to the point where it affects their ability to focus on other things. It can indicate worry, intense interest, or a combination of both.