a slightly busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly busy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or a person's schedule that is somewhat occupied or filled with tasks. Example: "I'm a slightly busy today, but I can still make time for a quick meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

His most recent movies were cinematic gems Delivery Man and The Internship which made as much money as a slightly busy lemonade stand on your local Main Street.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

On a slightly busier night, it took repeated pleas and 25 minutes to get a check.

The New York Times - Food

Mr. Vallone had a slightly busier day, consisting of two stops at senior centers in Yonkers and an evening speech to a Brooklyn Democratic club.

The New York Times

The black box would turn the television into a computer but without making any computerlike demands on the viewer: all the consumer would see was a slightly busier remote control.

The New York Times - Magazine

Manchester United, meanwhile, are set for a "slightly busier than normal" summer, according to their chief executive, David Gill, with the 6ft 3in 18-year-old Lens centre-back Raphaël Varane apparently on the list.

The Guardian - Sport

In the next field turn right towards the bay-windowed house, which is called "Badgers Hill". Turn right when you reach the lane and follow this to the end, crossing with care a slightly busier country lane.

BBC

The manual makes more sense for drivers who expect to do a lot of long journeys, but it still has rather short gearing which makes it feel slightly busy at motorway speeds.

Independent

"It was busy for a short time between about 4.30 and 5.30 [pm], slightly busier than a normal rush hour, but things are looking much better".

BBC

Sure, this day was slightly busier than a normal day...but not by much.

Huffington Post

A few miles to the north is the slightly busier parasol-lined beach of Cala de Boix.

BBC

Lukasz Fabianski was slightly busier at the other end, saving well at the foot of a post early on from Adam Johnson, who connected with a well-struck angled shot.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slightly busy" to describe a time or location, ensure the context clearly indicates what it is busier than. For example, "The cafe was a slightly busy than usual today."

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly busy" when the situation is clearly more than just slightly busy. Overstating the busyness can make the description seem insincere or inaccurate. Choose a more descriptive adjective if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly busy" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, qualifying a noun. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It indicates a state of being partially occupied or active.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slightly busy" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe a state of moderate activity or occupation. Ludwig confirms this, highlighting its common use in describing schedules, locations, or even a general state of affairs. Though not overly formal, it is appropriate for a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. For more formal situations, alternatives like "moderately occupied" or "somewhat engaged" may be preferable. It's important to remember that it should be used when the situation described really reflects a moderate level of engagement, avoiding overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Somewhat occupied

Indicates a state of being partially engaged or filled with tasks, differing from "a slightly busy" in directness.

Somewhat tied up

Suggests that time is committed or allocated, differing from "a slightly busy" in emphasizing scheduling.

Moderately engaged

Suggests an involvement that is neither intense nor minimal, providing a more formal tone than "a slightly busy".

Reasonably preoccupied

Emphasizes that thoughts are engaged to a noticeable extent, contrasting with the simple busyness of "a slightly busy".

Rather full

Highlights that a schedule is nearing capacity, contrasting with "a slightly busy" indicating availability.

Kind of hectic

Conveys a sense of disorganization or rush, which is not necessarily implied by "a slightly busy".

Somewhat on the go

Implies movement and activity, differing from "a slightly busy" that may refer to mental engagement.

Passably overloaded

Highlights that capacity is near its limit, contrasting with "a slightly busy" that indicates more available capacity.

Kind of active

Emphasizes participation in a range of activities, differing from the workload focus of "a slightly busy".

Mildly swamped

Hints at being overwhelmed to a small degree, which is a stronger sentiment than being merely "a slightly busy".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a slightly busy" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "moderately occupied", "somewhat engaged", or "reasonably preoccupied". These options offer a more sophisticated way to describe a state of being partially busy.

Is it correct to say "a slightly busy"?

Yes, the phrase "a slightly busy" is grammatically correct and understandable, according to Ludwig. It's a common way to describe someone or something that is somewhat occupied or active, but not excessively so.

What's the difference between "a slightly busy" and /s/a+bit+busy?

The phrases "a slightly busy" and "a bit busy" are very similar and often interchangeable. "A bit busy" is slightly more informal, while "a slightly busy" can sound a touch more deliberate.

Can I use "a slightly busy" to describe a place?

Yes, "a slightly busy" can effectively describe a location that has a moderate level of activity or occupancy. For instance, "The library was a slightly busy this afternoon" accurately conveys a moderate level of activity.