was overcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was overcome" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling or emotion that someone experienced at a particular point in time. For example: "The sorrow she felt over her loss was overcome by a sense of determination to rebuild her life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lisi was overcome.

The New Yorker

"I was overcome," Wright recalled.

Independent

Ms. Schimko was overcome.

The New York Times

Her father was overcome.

The New Yorker

"I was overcome".

The New York Times

Instead, I was overcome by sweeping generalities.

The New York Times

"I was overcome with emotion," she said.

The New York Times

Somewhat astonished, I was overcome by curiosity.

Independent

Or he was overcome by listmania.

The New York Times - Sports

She was overcome by emotion.

The New Yorker

He was overcome with guilt.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was overcome" to depict a strong emotional or physical effect on a subject, ensuring the context clarifies the cause and the resulting state. For instance, "He was overcome with grief" clearly conveys the depth of his sorrow.

Common error

Avoid using "was overcome" in contexts where the agent causing the effect is unclear. For example, instead of saying "The project was overcome", specify what overcame it: "The project was overcome by unforeseen challenges."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was overcome" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject experienced a strong emotional or physical effect caused by an external force or feeling. Ludwig shows many examples where individuals "was overcome" by emotions like joy, grief, or fear.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

99%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was overcome" is a versatile passive construction commonly used to describe a state of being profoundly affected by a strong emotion, force, or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely employed, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives such as "was overwhelmed" or "was consumed" exist, "was overcome" carries a specific connotation of being overpowered or deeply moved. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the agent causing the effect to avoid ambiguity. The frequency and range of sources citing this phrase underscore its relevance in contemporary English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was overwhelmed by

Focuses on the feeling of being flooded or overpowered by something.

was consumed by

Highlights the idea of something completely taking over one's thoughts or emotions.

was seized by

Emphasizes a sudden and forceful impact or influence.

was gripped by

Suggests a strong hold or control exerted by something.

was affected by

Indicates a general influence or impact, often emotional.

was moved by

Highlights the emotional impact and empathetic response.

was touched by

Suggests a gentle and affecting emotional experience.

was influenced by

Focuses on the impact of external factors on one's thoughts or actions.

was dominated by

Emphasizes the power and control exerted by something.

was inundated with

Implies being flooded with a large quantity of something.

FAQs

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

Use "was overcome" to describe a situation where someone is deeply affected by an emotion, feeling, or event. For example, "She was overcome with joy at the news" or "He "was overcome by" exhaustion after the marathon".

What are some alternatives to "was overcome"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was overwhelmed", "was consumed", or "was gripped by".

Is it better to use "was overcome by" or "was overcome with"?

Both ""was overcome by"" and "was overcome with" are grammatically correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Was overcome by" often refers to a force or event, while "was overcome with" usually refers to an emotion or feeling.

What does it mean to say someone "was overcome"?

To say someone "was overcome" means they were so strongly affected by something that they were unable to resist or control their reaction to it. This can be emotional, physical, or both.