totally absorbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally absorbed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is completely focused or engrossed in something, often to the point of being unaware of their surroundings. Example: "She was totally absorbed in her book, not noticing the time passing by."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was totally absorbed by it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was totally absorbed in the business at the beginning.

The Guardian

There are always children sitting here totally absorbed".

The Guardian - Books

"Mugabe has totally absorbed the colonial legacy," Bishop Verryn told me.

The New Yorker

Light at the exact wavelength would normally be totally absorbed by the GaAs photovoltaic material.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

"You see your son is totally absorbed, hunched over the family laptop.

The Guardian - Tech

But when he started to draw something, he had this incredible exuberance – he was totally absorbed".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Just wait until you're deep in the audiovisual Loop; you'll be totally absorbed.

The Guardian - Music

The girl was totally absorbed in a hefty novel, propped precariously on the animal's neck.

The New Yorker

"You get totally absorbed, you want to know what happened," she said.

The New York Times

Some people become totally absorbed by the art, while others do not.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally absorbed" to vividly describe a state of complete focus or immersion in an activity or thought. It conveys a sense of being unaware of one's surroundings due to intense concentration.

Common error

While "totally absorbed" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more nuanced alternatives like "fully engaged" or "completely immersed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally absorbed" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of complete immersion or focus. As indicated by Ludwig, it is typically used to describe someone or something that is completely engrossed in an activity or thought.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "totally absorbed" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe a state of complete immersion or focus. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile enough for various contexts, although slightly less formal. While alternatives like "completely engrossed" or "fully immersed" exist for more formal settings, "totally absorbed" effectively conveys intense concentration. This phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific articles, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary for expressive and accurate writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely engrossed

Indicates a complete and intense focus, similar to being totally absorbed but emphasizes captivation.

utterly engrossed

Stresses the depth of engagement, much like "totally absorbed", but with a stronger emphasis on the intensity.

fully immersed

Focuses on being completely surrounded or enveloped by something, analogous to being totally absorbed in it.

deeply involved

Highlights a profound level of participation and engagement, resembling being totally absorbed in an activity.

completely captivated

Suggests being entirely charmed or fascinated, similar to the enthrallment implied by being totally absorbed.

entirely focused

Emphasizes the concentration and attention directed towards something, akin to the focus of being totally absorbed.

thoroughly engaged

Indicates a comprehensive level of engagement, similar to being totally absorbed but stresses the active participation.

wholly preoccupied

Stresses the extent to which one's mind is occupied, much like being totally absorbed but focuses on mental focus.

absolutely riveted

Captures a state of being completely fixated and unable to look away, resembling the engrossment of being totally absorbed.

intently focused

Highlights the concentration of attention, like being totally absorbed but with a focus on deliberate concentration.

FAQs

How can I use "totally absorbed" in a sentence?

You can use "totally absorbed" to describe someone or something completely engrossed in an activity. For example, "She was "totally absorbed in" her book and didn't notice me enter the room."

What are some alternatives to "totally absorbed"?

Alternatives include "completely engrossed", "utterly engrossed", or "fully immersed depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey".

Is it correct to say "absolutely absorbed" instead of "totally absorbed"?

Yes, "absolutely absorbed" is a valid alternative and conveys a very similar meaning. Both "totally" and "absolutely" intensify the state of being absorbed.

In what situations is it best to use "totally absorbed"?

"Totally absorbed" is best used when you want to emphasize a complete and intense focus or immersion in something, often to the exclusion of awareness of other things.