was overcome with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was overcome with" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong emotion or feeling that someone experiences. Example: Jane was overcome with joy when she found out she got accepted into her top choice college.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was overcome with emotion," she said.

The New York Times

He was overcome with guilt.

The New Yorker

I was overcome with emotion.

The New York Times

Micky was overcome with fear and guilt.

The New Yorker

Ms. Meza was overcome with dread.

The New York Times

Nearby, Brestyan was overcome with emotion.

The New York Times - Sports

At times, Jennifer was overcome with despair.

The New Yorker

I was overcome with a feeling of shame.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fifteen minutes later, he was overcome with grief.

The New York Times - Sports

Opening the pages, I was overcome with dread.

The New York Times

When Rojas held Asha, she was overcome with emotion.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was overcome with" to vividly describe a strong emotional or physical experience. This phrase is particularly effective when emphasizing the intensity and suddenness of the feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "was overcome with" to describe inanimate objects. This phrase is best suited for describing the emotional or physical state of a person. For example, instead of saying "The project was overcome with difficulties", say "The team was overcome by the project's difficulties".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was overcome with" functions as a verb phrase used to describe a state of being intensely affected by a feeling or emotion. Ludwig AI validates this usage with numerous examples showing people "was overcome with" emotions like joy, sadness, or terror.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was overcome with" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to express a strong emotional or physical reaction. Ludwig AI confirms its validity through numerous examples from diverse sources. It is most frequently found in News & Media, and less often in business or academic writing. While the phrase effectively conveys intensity, writers should ensure it is used appropriately with animate subjects to avoid misuse. For alternatives, consider options like "was overwhelmed by", "was consumed by", or "was gripped by" to vary your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was overwhelmed by

Replaces 'overcome with' with 'overwhelmed by', focusing on the feeling of being overpowered.

was consumed by

Emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of the emotion or feeling.

was gripped by

Highlights the sudden and forceful nature of the experience.

was seized by

Similar to 'gripped by', but suggests a more intense and involuntary reaction.

was inundated with

Focuses on being flooded or overwhelmed by something, often information or tasks.

was saturated with

Implies a state of being completely filled or permeated with something.

was saturated by

Implies a state of being completely filled or permeated with something.

succumbed to

Implies giving in to a powerful emotion or force.

yielded to

Implies giving in to a powerful emotion or force.

was affected by

A more general term indicating influence or impact.

FAQs

How do I use "was overcome with" in a sentence?

Use "was overcome with" to describe a situation where someone experiences a strong emotion or sensation. For example, "She "was overcome with" joy when she heard the news".

What can I say instead of "was overcome with"?

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

Is it correct to say "I was overcome by" instead of "I was overcome with"?

While "was overcome by" can sometimes work, ""was overcome with"" is typically used to specify the emotion or feeling experienced. For example, "I was overcome with sadness" is more common than "I was overcome by sadness".

What's the difference between "was overcome with" and "was filled with"?

"Was overcome with" implies a more intense and possibly overwhelming emotional experience, while "was filled with" suggests a more general sense of being full of something.