too preoccupied with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "too preoccupied with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is excessively focused or absorbed in a particular thought, task, or concern, often to the detriment of other responsibilities or aspects of life. Example: "She was too preoccupied with her work to notice the changes happening around her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"People get too preoccupied with style points.

The New York Times - Sports

Most Russians are too preoccupied with survival to decide.

The Economist

He shares the concern that too many students are too preoccupied with getting rich.

The New Yorker

Mr. Campion seemed too preoccupied with fine tuning to appreciate his creation.

The New York Times

On my first go I was too preoccupied with the ballet's divergences from MacDonald's book.

The New York Times - Arts

They described him as an unselfish, pass-first center, not too preoccupied with scoring to backcheck.

The New York Times - Sports

He had been too preoccupied with the duties imposed on him by the collective European psyche.

The Guardian - Books

As a single woman, I'm too preoccupied with lipstick, hair and underwear.

The New York Times

With expectations so high, he became too preoccupied with his performance to worry about clubhouse atmosphere.

The New York Times - Sports

"I wish you wouldn't get too preoccupied with day-to-day events," Mr. Moynihan said.

The New York Times

Scott Stevens didn't appear too preoccupied with the news that Lindros will play for the Flyers.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "too preoccupied with", ensure that the object of preoccupation is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "She was too preoccupied", specify "She was too preoccupied with her upcoming exam".

Common error

Avoid using "too preoccupied with" without specifying what the subject is preoccupied with. This can lead to confusion and weaken the sentence's clarity. Always include the object of preoccupation for better understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too preoccupied with" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates a state of excessive focus or absorption. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

5%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "too preoccupied with" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone who is excessively focused on something, often to the detriment of other responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the object of preoccupation is clearly defined and avoid omitting it. Alternatives like ""overly absorbed in"" or ""excessively concerned with"" can be used for variety, but maintain similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overly absorbed in

Replaces "preoccupied" with "absorbed" maintaining a focus on intense engagement.

excessively concerned with

Substitutes "preoccupied" with "concerned", highlighting worry or deep thought about something.

unduly engrossed in

Emphasizes complete immersion in something, potentially to an inappropriate extent.

obsessively focused on

Highlights an unhealthy or compulsive level of attention to something.

singularly devoted to

Suggests a unique and intense dedication, possibly neglecting other areas.

deeply immersed in

Focuses on the depth of involvement and engagement with something.

intensely fixated on

Implies a strong and perhaps unwavering focus, possibly to an extreme.

extremely attentive to

Highlights the high level of care and attention given to something.

overly invested in

Indicates a significant emotional or personal commitment that may be disproportionate.

consumed by

Implies that something has completely taken over someone's thoughts and actions.

FAQs

How can I use "too preoccupied with" in a sentence?

Use "too preoccupied with" to describe someone excessively focused on something, often neglecting other things. Example: "He was "too preoccupied with" work to notice his surroundings".

What are some alternatives to "too preoccupied with"?

Alternatives include "overly absorbed in", "excessively concerned with", or "deeply immersed in", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "too preoccupied by" instead of "too preoccupied with"?

While "preoccupied by" is grammatically correct, ""too preoccupied with"" is more common and natural-sounding in contemporary English.

What's the difference between "too preoccupied with" and "simply preoccupied with"?

"Too preoccupied with" implies that the preoccupation is excessive or detrimental, while "simply preoccupied with" just indicates that someone is absorbed in something without necessarily negative connotations.