was entangled in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was entangled in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is caught up in a complex or difficult circumstance. Example: "The politician was entangled in a scandal that threatened to ruin his career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

When she moved to Cairo she was entangled in a bitter divorce from her second husband.

The New York Times

Less than a month after the film was released, Clinton was entangled in the Lewinsky affair.

Independent

Their church, like most other white American churches, was entangled in a deeply entrenched national sin.

The New York Times

But from the beginning its introduction into the United States was entangled in abortion politics.

The New York Times

In the middle of the disco war, he was entangled in another ordeal that "nearly unhinged me," he said.

The New York Times

She pointed at Tela O'Donnell, who was entangled in an opponent's gut wrench — essentially a prone Heimlich maneuver.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Still, Pellizotti is entangled in his doping case.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Roh's family is entangled in a corruption investigation.

The Economist

"Nepal will be entangled in complications," he says.

The Economist

He has been entangled in doping scandals of his own.

The New York Times - Sports

Five pink women are entangled in silver and blue draperies.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was entangled in" to describe a situation where someone or something is deeply involved in a complex and often difficult situation. Ensure the context clearly indicates the nature of the entanglement, whether it's a legal battle, a personal conflict, or a physical obstruction.

Common error

Avoid using "was entangled in" excessively in passive constructions. Instead, consider rephrasing the sentence to use active voice for a more direct and engaging style. For example, instead of "The company was entangled in a lawsuit", try "The lawsuit entangled the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was entangled in" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a passive construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence was involved in a complex or problematic situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was entangled in" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe being deeply involved in a complex or difficult situation. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is appropriate for use in writing. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, and its usage spans from describing legal battles to personal conflicts. While versatile, consider alternatives like "was caught up in" or "was involved in" for subtly different connotations. Avoid overusing passive voice for clearer and more direct writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was caught up in

Implies being unintentionally involved or affected by a situation.

was embroiled in

Suggests a deep and often bitter involvement in a conflict or dispute.

was implicated in

Indicates a connection to a crime or wrongdoing.

was involved in

A general term for being part of an event or situation, without specifying the nature of the involvement.

was mixed up in

Suggests being involved in something shady or confusing.

was tied up in

Implies being restricted or constrained by a situation.

was caught in the middle of

Indicates being stuck between conflicting parties or forces.

was drawn into

Suggests being persuaded or lured into a situation.

was consumed by

Implies being completely absorbed or overwhelmed by a situation or feeling.

was wrapped up in

Suggests being completely focused or absorbed in an activity or relationship.

FAQs

What does "was entangled in" mean?

The phrase "was entangled in" means to be deeply involved in a complicated or difficult situation, such as a legal issue, a personal relationship, or a physical obstruction. It implies a state of being caught up or ensnared.

What can I say instead of "was entangled in"?

You can use alternatives like "was caught up in", "was embroiled in", or "was involved in" depending on the context.

How to use "was entangled in" in a sentence?

Use "was entangled in" to describe a state of being deeply involved in a complex situation. For example, "The politician was entangled in a corruption scandal" or "The whale was entangled in fishing nets".

Is "was entangled in" formal or informal?

The phrase "was entangled in" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While not overly technical, it is more sophisticated than simpler alternatives like "was mixed up in".