we were engrossed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were engrossed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being completely absorbed or involved in something, such as a book, movie, or conversation. Example: "As the story unfolded, we were engrossed in the plot, unable to look away from the pages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

TUESDAY We were engrossed in morning preparations at work when a colleague called our attention to the latest "episode" of Saddam's trial -- a form of cheap entertainment for many Iraqis against the backdrop of dreary events in Baghdad.

The Washington Post

We were engrossed in trying to ascertain the origin of something on a skewer when I felt a faint brush against my shoulder bag and turned around to see a woman dart off into the crowd.

The New York Times - Travel

+ We were enGROSSed by the story of the poop emoji's journey to the States.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Usually when we are engrossed in something really interesting.

Stanford University

When we're engrossed, we pay attention, and turning a dial is utterly unintuitive.

The New York Times - Magazine

We are engrossed in a knife fight while all around us the world is under attack.

The Guardian - Opinion

"What We See When We Read" is an investigation of what happens in the mind's eye when we're engrossed in a book.

The New Yorker

The track might separate crowd and pitch, but our view is faultless and, come kick-off, we're engrossed, especially Finn ("my heart is pounding," he tells me between mouthfuls of a hot pretzel the size of his face).

The Guardian - Travel

We are afraid that whatever we are engrossed in and most want will not pan out…we let fear write our endings.

HuffPost

By the time we spoke, investigators were engrossed in learning about the devices that, nearly twenty-four hours earlier, had instantly killed two marathon spectators, mortally wounded a third, and left more than a hundred and seventy others recovering or fighting for their lives.

The New Yorker

Maybe it felt like we, and the world, were engrossed for months in mobilizing resources and feeling sorry for Haiti; but maybe it was just for a few days.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were engrossed" when you want to emphasize a state of complete mental absorption or involvement in something, suggesting that attention was fully captured.

Common error

Avoid using "engrossed" to describe inanimate objects or abstract concepts. "Engrossed" implies a state of mind, so it's best suited for describing people or beings with cognitive abilities. For example, avoid saying "The book was engrossed in the story."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were engrossed" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a state of complete absorption or intense focus. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s grammatically sound and effective for conveying deep engagement. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts ranging from trials to personal experiences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were engrossed" is used to express a state of being completely absorbed or deeply involved in something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for describing intense focus or captivation. While "we were engrossed" is most commonly found in News & Media, it can also appear in academic and scientific writing. For alternative expressions, consider "we were captivated", "we were absorbed", or "we were immersed" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were captivated

Replaces "engrossed" with "captivated", emphasizing the charm or attraction of what held attention.

we were absorbed

Uses "absorbed" instead of "engrossed", highlighting the complete mental immersion in something.

we were immersed

Similar to absorbed, but suggests being surrounded or enveloped by the experience.

we were enthralled

Indicates a state of being completely fascinated and delighted.

we were fascinated

Uses "fascinated" instead of "engrossed", indicating intense interest and curiosity.

we were preoccupied

Indicates that thoughts were mainly occupied with something, potentially to the exclusion of other things.

we were deeply involved

Highlights the level of participation and engagement in an activity.

we were focused

Emphasizes the concentration and direction of attention toward a specific point.

our attention was completely taken

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the attention being fully captured.

we were hooked

Informal way of saying one is very interested or addicted in something.

FAQs

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

You can use "we were engrossed" to describe a state of being completely absorbed or involved in something. For example, "We were engrossed in the movie and didn't notice the time passing."

What can I say instead of "we were engrossed"?

You can use alternatives like "we were captivated", "we were absorbed", or "we were immersed" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "I was engrossed" instead of "we were engrossed"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct. "I was engrossed" describes an individual's state of being absorbed, while "we were engrossed" describes a group's state.

What's the difference between "we were engrossed" and "we were interested"?

"We were interested" suggests a general feeling of curiosity or attention, while "we were engrossed" implies a deeper level of absorption and involvement.