we were captivated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were captivated" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express that you were deeply interested or fascinated by something. For example, "We were captivated by the beauty of the sunset." Alternative expressions include "we were enchanted" and "we were enthralled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

We were captivated anyway.

The New York Times - Travel

But we were captivated by the auction.

The New York Times

Bite by bite, we were captivated.

The New York Times - Food

And we were captivated by what it had to offer.

The New York Times - Travel

We were captivated by the book, which is quite unusual.

The New Yorker

Most everyone speaks flawless English and we were captivated by their wonderful manners and congeniality.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

We are captivated by something that may appear fleetingly, if at all, but doesn't last.

The Guardian - Arts

"Quite often we're captivated by a material," she added, like polished horn or volcanic glass.

The New York Times

In a shrinking world, we are captivated by those things that stay out of touch.

The Guardian - Opinion

With regularity, we are captivated by stories in which apparently virile men are undone by their irrepressible manliness.

The New Yorker

We're captivated because we're watching a person of unusual sensitivity and intelligence get reacquainted with his life and himself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were captivated" to describe a strong positive reaction of interest or fascination when experiencing something new or engaging. It effectively conveys a sense of wonder and deep attention.

Common error

Avoid using "we were captivated" to describe everyday or unexciting experiences. This phrase implies a significant level of fascination, so reserve it for truly remarkable or engaging situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were captivated" functions as a statement expressing a strong positive reaction of fascination or deep interest. It highlights the subjective experience of being thoroughly engaged by something, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Travel

10%

Arts

8%

Less common in

Books

4%

Tech

3%

Food

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were captivated" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey deep interest or fascination. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily in News & Media. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where genuine wonder or enchantment is experienced, avoiding overuse in mundane contexts. Consider alternatives like "we were enthralled" or "we were fascinated" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were enthralled

Replaces "captivated" with "enthralled", suggesting a more intense level of fascination.

we were fascinated

Substitutes "captivated" with "fascinated", indicating a strong interest and intrigue.

we were charmed

Uses "charmed" instead of "captivated", implying a delightful and pleasing experience.

we were mesmerized

Replaces "captivated" with "mesmerized", suggesting a hypnotic or spellbinding effect.

we were engrossed

Uses "engrossed" instead of "captivated", highlighting a state of being completely absorbed.

we were riveted

Substitutes "captivated" with "riveted", indicating being held firmly in attention.

we were spellbound

Replaces "captivated" with "spellbound", suggesting a magical or enchanting effect.

we were gripped

Uses "gripped" instead of "captivated", highlighting a strong emotional hold.

we found it captivating

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the subject's quality of being captivating.

it captivated us

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the object that caused the captivation.

FAQs

How can I use "we were captivated" in a sentence?

Use "we were captivated" to describe a feeling of being deeply interested or fascinated by something. For instance, "We were captivated by the stunning performance" or "We were captivated by the intricate details of the artwork".

What are some alternatives to "we were captivated"?

You can use alternatives such as "we were enthralled", "we were fascinated", or "we were mesmerized" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "we were captivated by" or "we were captivated with"?

"We were captivated by" is generally the more idiomatic and commonly used preposition. While "we were captivated with" isn't incorrect, "by" is preferred in most contexts.

What is the difference between "we were captivated" and "we were interested"?

"We were captivated" suggests a deeper level of engagement and fascination compared to "we were interested". "Captivated" implies a strong emotional or aesthetic appeal, while "interested" simply indicates a desire to know more.