was fascinated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was fascinated" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is the past tense form of the verb "to fascinate," which means to attract strongly and hold the interest of someone. It can be used to describe a feeling of intense interest or curiosity about something. Example: She was fascinated by the colorful fish swimming in the aquarium.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Molina was fascinated.

The New York Times - Sports

I was fascinated.

The New York Times

And I was fascinated.

Cornell University

America was fascinated.

The Guardian - Books

The world was fascinated.

The Guardian - Books

He was fascinated by technology.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

She was fascinated.

The New Yorker

Now I am fascinated.

Huffington Post

"They're fascinated".

The New York Times

"The visitors are fascinated.

The New York Times

People were fascinated.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was fascinated" to clearly express a strong feeling of interest and captivation towards a specific subject, person, or event. Ensure the context provides clarity on what caused the fascination.

Common error

Avoid using "was fascinated" without a clear and specific subject. For instance, instead of saying "I was fascinated", specify what you were fascinated by, such as "I was fascinated by the intricate details of the ancient artifact".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was fascinated" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of being strongly attracted and interested. According to Ludwig AI, this expression is commonly used in written English. Examples show its use to describe a feeling of intense interest or curiosity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

9%

Huffington Post

5%

Less common in

Wikipedia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Vice

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was fascinated" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express a strong sense of interest or captivation. Ludwig AI validates its common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media, and academic writing. To make your message more precise, consider using synonyms like "was intrigued" or "was captivated". Remember to always provide a clear subject to avoid vagueness. Overall, "was fascinated" is effective for conveying a feeling of wonder and intrigue, adding depth to your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was captivated

Expresses a slightly more intense level of captivation or enchantment.

was captivated by

Focuses specifically on the object or person causing the fascination.

found it fascinating

Shifts the emphasis to the act of discovering something to be fascinating.

was mesmerized

Suggests a state of being hypnotized or spellbound.

was intrigued

Implies a sense of curiosity and interest, often suggesting a desire to learn more.

was enthralled

Suggests being completely absorbed and delighted by something.

was spellbound

Similar to mesmerized, indicating a state of complete captivation.

was charmed

Indicates a feeling of delight and attraction, often by someone's personality or behavior.

was keenly interested

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing strong interest.

was deeply impressed

Implies a sense of admiration and respect in addition to interest.

FAQs

How can I use "was fascinated" in a sentence?

Use "was fascinated" to describe a state of being extremely interested or captivated by something. For example, "She was fascinated by the historical accounts of the city".

What's a more formal alternative to "was fascinated"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "was intrigued by" or "was captivated by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "was fascinated" differ from "was interested"?

"Was fascinated" implies a stronger, more intense level of interest than "was interested". Fascination suggests a captivating quality that holds one's attention completely, whereas interest can be more casual.

Can "was fascinated" be used to describe a negative experience?

While "was fascinated" typically implies a positive or neutral captivation, it can be used in contexts where something disturbing or unsettling still holds a strong, morbid curiosity. For example, "I was fascinated and appalled".