was completely engrossed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was completely engrossed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is fully absorbed or captivated by something, such as a book, movie, or activity. Example: "As she read the novel, she was completely engrossed in the story, forgetting about everything else around her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Whether playing a flirtatious, honey-covered salmon, or attempting to spell "restaurant" to save his mother from a crazed gunman, the audience was completely engrossed.

The Guardian

For the next hour, I was completely engrossed in it.

Vice

"Like millions of people around the world, I was completely engrossed watching the rescue at Copiapó.

HuffPost

However, overall the spirit of the production won me over and I was completely engrossed for the entirety of the show.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was like we were completely engrossed in racing to the front of the pack.

Harvard University

They're completely engrossed in their work and don't look up.

The New Yorker

When he regularly brought in outside speakers to talk about Berkeley in the 1960s, students were completely engrossed and full of questions.

University of California, Berkeley

I'm completely engrossed in making my body return a Ping-Pong ball in a way that makes my opponent miss.

The New York Times

In that 30-second commercial, Ms. Anderson calls out to Mr. Hamilton to set the table, but Mr. Hamilton -- perfectly groomed and wearing his signature ascot -- is completely engrossed in a video game.

The New York Times

The adults have achieved the attitude of the children; like the small boy waiting by the phone booth for his mother, the young girl and boy playing in the park, the child standing on a swing, they are completely engrossed in the moment.

The Guardian

Eyes wide, the usually excitable boys were completely engrossed.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was completely engrossed" to vividly describe a state of deep absorption, ensuring the context clearly indicates what the subject is engrossed in.

Common error

Avoid using "was completely engrossed" when the context implies only mild interest or casual engagement. The phrase signifies a total loss of awareness of surroundings due to intense focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was completely engrossed" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a subject to indicate a state of being deeply absorbed or captivated. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound. Examples show its use in describing reactions to performances, work, and rescues.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was completely engrossed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to describe someone who is deeply absorbed in something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It is frequently found in news articles, academic texts, and formal business communications. When using this phrase, ensure that the context supports the idea of intense focus and captivation, and consider alternatives like ""was totally absorbed"" or ""was deeply immersed"" to fine-tune the nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was totally absorbed

Emphasizes absorption to a greater extent. "Totally" strengthens the degree of immersion.

was deeply immersed

Highlights the depth of immersion. Conveys a sense of being surrounded by the experience.

was utterly captivated

Focuses on the captivating nature of the subject. "Utterly" emphasizes complete captivation.

was thoroughly enthralled

Indicates being completely fascinated and charmed. Highlights the delightful aspect of the experience.

was wholly consumed

Suggests that all attention is directed towards the subject, leaving no room for other thoughts.

was entirely focused

Highlights the concentration aspect. Indicates a complete lack of distraction.

was lost in

Suggests a sense of losing oneself within the subject. Emphasizes the immersive quality.

was fascinated by

Focuses on the source that causes the captivation. Highlights the attractiveness of the subject.

was hooked on

More informal, suggesting a strong addiction or attachment to the subject.

was riveted by

Emphasizes being firmly fixed or held by something. Highlights the gripping nature of the subject.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "was completely engrossed"?

To say someone "was completely engrossed" means they were so absorbed in something that they lost track of time and their surroundings. It indicates a state of deep focus and captivation.

How can I use "was completely engrossed" in a sentence?

You can use "was completely engrossed" to describe someone's absorption in an activity. For example, "She "was completely engrossed" in the book and didn't notice the time passing."

What are some alternatives to saying someone "was completely engrossed"?

Alternatives include "was totally absorbed", "was deeply immersed", or "was utterly captivated". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was completely engrossed"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.