wholly preoccupied with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly preoccupied with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is completely absorbed or focused on a particular subject or activity. Example: "She was wholly preoccupied with her research, leaving little time for socializing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Robert Peston, self-confessed Scotophile, was almost wholly preoccupied with the numbers game.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wholly preoccupied with chattering to each other in low, nervous voices as they made their first appearance, they seemed ready, as a group, to giggle at the entire universe.

The New Yorker

The court was told that Ormond, who argued he was the victim of a conspiracy among his accusers, was "wholly preoccupied with sex" and carried out his attacks at various locations including youth-club changing rooms, his car and at the homes of some victims.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"The people of Hamburg were completely preoccupied with local issues".

The New York Times

I was totally preoccupied with the moment.

Forbes

He was totally preoccupied with death".

Vice

I just got really preoccupied with all this stuff".

Evolution: Education and Outreach

She's preoccupied with age.

The New Yorker

Mr. Cuomo was preoccupied with safety.

The New York Times

Are Americans preoccupied with work?

The New Yorker

Their minds are preoccupied with oil.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wholly preoccupied with" to emphasize a complete and undivided focus on a particular subject, task, or person. This phrase is most effective when you want to convey that someone's attention is entirely consumed by something, leaving little room for other considerations.

Common error

Avoid using "wholly preoccupied with" in overly casual or informal situations. While grammatically correct, its formal tone might sound out of place in everyday conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "focused on" or "absorbed in" for more casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly preoccupied with" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being completely absorbed or focused on something. Ludwig examples highlight how this phrase intensifies the level of attention or concern.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wholly preoccupied with" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that denotes a state of complete absorption or focus. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing situations where someone's attention is entirely consumed by a particular subject or activity. While semantically similar to alternatives like "completely engrossed in" or "entirely absorbed in", it carries a slightly more formal tone. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, primarily appearing in news and media sources. When using this phrase, consider the level of formality required for your writing and ensure that you want to emphasize the completeness of the focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely engrossed in

Emphasizes being deeply absorbed and focused, similar to being "wholly preoccupied with", but with a stronger sense of enjoyment or captivation.

entirely absorbed in

Highlights the complete absorption in something, akin to being "wholly preoccupied with", focusing on mental or emotional engagement.

totally consumed by

Indicates that something is dominating one's thoughts or actions, sharing the intensity of "wholly preoccupied with" but suggesting a more consuming influence.

deeply immersed in

Suggests a profound level of involvement and focus, resembling the absorption implied by "wholly preoccupied with", with emphasis on thorough engagement.

intensely focused on

Highlights the concentration and dedication, like being "wholly preoccupied with", but emphasizing the active effort to focus.

singularly obsessed with

Implies an excessive or obsessive focus, similar to "wholly preoccupied with" but with a more negative connotation of being fixated.

primarily concerned with

Indicates that something is the main focus of attention or worry, sharing the central concern of "wholly preoccupied with" but suggesting a less intense level of absorption.

mostly engrossed in

Highlights a significant level of absorption, similar to being "wholly preoccupied with", yet implying that the focus is not absolute or exclusive.

largely absorbed by

Signifies a considerable degree of immersion, resembling the involvement conveyed by "wholly preoccupied with", while suggesting that other things might also be occupying attention.

mainly focused on

Denotes the principal area of concentration, like being "wholly preoccupied with", but suggesting a degree of consideration for other matters as well.

FAQs

How can I use "wholly preoccupied with" in a sentence?

You can use "wholly preoccupied with" to describe someone who is completely absorbed in a particular activity or subject. For instance, "She was wholly preoccupied with her research, neglecting all other responsibilities."

What are some alternatives to "wholly preoccupied with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "completely engrossed in", "entirely absorbed in", or "totally consumed by" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "wholly preoccupied with" formal or informal?

"Wholly preoccupied with" has a formal tone. In more casual contexts, consider using phrases like "focused on" or "absorbed in".

What's the difference between "preoccupied with" and "wholly preoccupied with"?

While both phrases indicate a focus on something, "wholly preoccupied with" emphasizes a complete and undivided attention, suggesting a stronger level of absorption than simply "preoccupied with".