totally preoccupied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally preoccupied" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is completely absorbed or distracted by something, often to the point of being unaware of their surroundings. Example: "She was totally preoccupied with her thoughts during the meeting, missing several important points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

It would be misleading to suggest that British theatre is totally preoccupied by politics.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He has been totally preoccupied, literally 24/7, with the job he is doing".

The New York Times

It's inconceivable that Tehran, which is totally preoccupied with its own defense, would lend substantial military muscle to Syria's government.

The New York Times

The Arabs are totally preoccupied with Iran, and in their anxiety and weakness, they have turned to Israel for help.

The Washington Post

Host Beverly is an aspirational working class girl who is totally preoccupied with appearances and received notions of behaviour and taste.

The Guardian

"We are shifting from conservation that's totally preoccupied with animals recovered and about getting their numbers back up, to conservation that manages those numbers," Ross said.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

All artists are preoccupied.

Independent

I just got really preoccupied with all this stuff".

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The debate, he said, "has been skewed and totally one-sided," because the news media, Congress and pundits have been "preoccupied with possible, speculative environmental disasters".

The New York Times

Alas, ministers are preoccupied.

The Economist

Roger is similarly preoccupied.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally preoccupied" to vividly describe a state of complete absorption or distraction, particularly when someone's awareness of their surroundings is diminished. For instance, "She was totally preoccupied with her thoughts, not noticing the commotion around her".

Common error

While "totally preoccupied" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overuse in highly formal writing where more sophisticated language might be preferable. Consider alternatives like "completely engrossed" or "deeply immersed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally preoccupied" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of being completely absorbed or engrossed in something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "totally preoccupied" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase. It effectively conveys a state of complete absorption or distraction, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to slightly informal contexts, and should be used judiciously in highly formal writing. Common alternatives include "completely absorbed" and "deeply immersed". "Totally preoccupied" finds frequent use in news and media, reflecting its broad applicability in describing various real-world scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely absorbed

Emphasizes the state of being fully engaged or engrossed in something, to the exclusion of other things.

fully absorbed

Similar to 'completely absorbed' but can imply a more passive state of absorption.

utterly engrossed

Highlights the intensity of being captivated or consumed by something.

extremely engrossed

Highlights the intensity of being captivated or consumed by something.

deeply immersed

Focuses on the depth of involvement and engagement in a particular activity or thought.

intensely focused

Focuses on the depth and strength of the concentration on a particular activity or thought.

wholly consumed

Indicates that someone's entire attention and energy are directed towards something.

entirely focused

Stresses the completeness of attention being directed towards a specific thing.

completely fixated

Indicates a strong and unwavering focus, sometimes to an obsessive degree.

singularly focused

Emphasizes the exclusive and unwavering nature of the focus.

FAQs

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

You can use "totally preoccupied" to describe someone who is completely absorbed or distracted by something. For example, "He was "totally preoccupied" with his work and didn't notice I had entered the room."

What are some alternatives to "totally preoccupied"?

Alternatives include "completely absorbed", "utterly engrossed", or "deeply immersed", depending on the context.

Is "totally preoccupied" formal or informal?

"Totally preoccupied" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. In very formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "completely engrossed" or "entirely focused".

What's the difference between "totally preoccupied" and "somewhat preoccupied"?

"Totally preoccupied" implies a complete state of absorption or distraction, while "somewhat preoccupied" suggests a lesser degree of focus or concern. The former indicates a higher intensity of engagement or distraction compared to the latter.