Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Idioms: Preoccupied By vs. Preoccupied With


Nick writes:
Hi Snarky! Please tell me which is correct: I'm 'preoccupied by' video games or 'preoccupied with' video games? I hear it both ways.
This is a super example of an idiom that ends with a preposition. An idiom is an expression that requires using a certain string of words. Idioms can be particularly tricky when they include prepositions, because very often there is no grammatical reason why one preposition is better than another; it's simply that a particular combination of words became accepted and now it's a part of our language.

Quick rule:
  • There are many idioms that require a certain preposition. Examples include: able to, capable of, prohibited from, and preoccupied with.

Snarky Tip:
  • When you're unsure of which preposition to use in an idiom, it's often helpful to play with it. Change another word in the idiom from a verb to noun or vice versa. Put the sentence in a different tense. Or switch from the active to the passive voice or vice versa. Then, very often, the choice becomes clear.
I am preoccupied by nice clothes. >> Change 'preoccupy' to its noun form. I have a preoccupation by with nice clothes. That doesn't sound right! >> I am preoccupied with nice clothes.

Correction:
  • I am preoccupied with video games.

11 comments:

  1. It seems to me that "preoccupied with" suggests that I am thinking of the subject, whereas "preoccupied by" suggests that the object is working on me.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That distinction between "preoccupied with" and "preoccupied by" is how I interpret them, too. The bigger challenge, I think, is between "preoccupied with" and "preoccupied about". Among some recents examples I have had, both sound appropriate, even with the preceding Snarky Tip.

    ReplyDelete
  3. There we usually find more of the values and sufficient prospects which are considered to be of great cause and hopefully will lead them towards better stage.

    ReplyDelete
  4. To take steps along with the government and point out the rights of poor sectors and communities, private schools should also have to provide education with the light fees for those who deserves it. summarizing a journal article

    ReplyDelete
  5. If you want to learn the good English you should know about the grammar rules and if you want the more attractive English you should know idioms and preposition but superiorpapers is the good source for this purpose. English is the international language and everyone should know about this language. Your article is so informative.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Preoccupied with is used when talking about things that occupy the mind.

    Preoccupied by, when preoccupy has the more literal meaning of occupying a place before someone else. One OED example with this meaning:
    There was a meeting of Licensed Victuallers in Trafalgar Square.., or rather attempted meeting, for the ground was pre-occupied by a belligerent assembly of Sons of the Phoenix.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Especially the students of under developed countries and of developed countries face much problems in getting admission in the educational institutions in any foreign country. doctoral dissertation defense

    ReplyDelete
  8. I realized when I got home that I had taken a photo of you sketching Kalina. I didn't know that at the time and was happily surprised. :)


    US Police Cobra Transform Robot Games For PC

    ReplyDelete
  9. great post, we should improve our grammar skills, thanks for sharing this information.


    Moving Forward in Transforming Businesses into Highly Productive, Profitable, and Prosperous Ventures.

    As an established Technology-Intensive company, We pride ourselves on providing cutting-edge state-of-the-art software solutions for business needs that help them perform better and produce more effectively and efficiently.


    Asset Inventory System

    ReplyDelete