obsession/preoccupation

[angliholic]

Josh is a good student except his being preoccupied/obsession/preoccupation with video games.


I'd like to know if I could put his being preoccupied, his obsession, and his preoccupation here, and make little differences in meanings. Thanks.

[Noego]

Hello Angliholic,

obsession and preoccupation are quite different, I can tell you that much.

obsession: (n.)

"something or someone that you think about all the time"

preoccupation: (n.)

"thinking or worrying about something too much"

I think the best answer in your context is obsession. I myself used to be obsessed all the time about video games (they're quite addictive!) to the point where it really influenced my studies (not in a good way).

In the following sentence:

"Josh is a good student except his being preoccupied/obsession/preoccupation with video games."

If John was preoccupied (read: worried) about video games, he could be worried that he was playing games too much.

In the context however, obsession is definitely the best answer.

[angliholic]

Originally Posted by Noego

Hello Angliholic,

obsession and preoccupation are quite different, I can tell you that much.

obsession: (n.)

"something or someone that you think about all the time"

preoccupation: (n.)

"thinking or worrying about something too much"

I think the best answer in your context is obsession. I myself used to be obsessed all the time about video games (they're quite addictive!) to the point where it really influenced my studies (not in a good way).

In the following sentence:

"Josh is a good student except his being preoccupied/obsession/preoccupation with video games."

If John was preoccupied (read: worried) about video games, he could be worried that he was playing games too much.

In the context however, obsession is definitely the best answer.

Thanks, Noego.
That's right--obsession is the right choice.
Nevertheless, I've never seen "be obsessed about" but "be obsessed by/with." Is it a typo? Just to make sure.

[Noego]

Good observation.

But it's not a typo.

Click here to see what I mean.

To be obsessed about something is also a correct expression.

But you're right in being vigilant.

I think being corrected when wrong is a great gift.

[angliholic]

Thanks, Noego.
You're so polite and humble.
I like your saying--Being corrected when wrong is a great gift.