are occupied by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are occupied by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a space, position, or role is filled or taken by someone or something. Example: "The conference rooms are occupied by various teams throughout the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

One in three hospital beds are occupied by them.

The Guardian - Opinion

All the beds are occupied by adults – except one.

The Guardian

Derelict spaces are occupied by gardeners and artists.

Independent

Many important management positions are occupied by political appointees.

The New York Times

Now its first five floors are occupied by county offices.

The New York Times

A million other units are occupied by their owners.

The New York Times

In one block managed by Wetherell almost half of the 16 flats are occupied by students.

The Guardian - Money

Now most of the available chairs are occupied by redundant bureaucrats.

The New York Times - Magazine

Surrounding the courtyard are ground floor offices, most of which are occupied by creative businesses.

The Guardian

Around the world, only 20% of national parliamentary seats are occupied by women.

The Guardian

The seats around him are occupied by undergraduates more than 60 years his junior.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are occupied by" when you want to clearly state that a space, position, or role is currently being used or held by someone or something. This is useful in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "are occupied by" excessively in passive constructions. Sometimes, active voice can make your writing more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "The seats are occupied by students", consider "Students occupy the seats."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are occupied by" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating that a subject is being acted upon. Ludwig AI exemplifies this with various contexts, from hospital beds being occupied by patients to parliamentary seats being occupied by women.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are occupied by" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the state of something being filled or taken up. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While suitable for neutral and formal registers, be mindful of overuse in passive constructions to maintain a direct writing style. Alternatives like "are taken up by" or "are filled by" can provide similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are taken up by

Focuses more on the act of taking rather than the state of being occupied.

are filled by

Emphasizes the act of filling a space or position.

are inhabited by

Implies a living presence within a space.

are tenanted by

Specifically refers to occupancy as a tenant.

are held by

Suggests a more formal or official occupancy.

are utilized by

Focuses on the use of a space or resource.

are seated by

Indicates the action of being seated in a specific location or area.

are busy by

Describes something being occupied by being busy.

are commandeered by

Suggests an occupancy obtained in a forceful or unauthorized manner.

are monopolized by

Indicates that exclusive control or occupancy is happening.

FAQs

How can I use "are occupied by" in a sentence?

The phrase "are occupied by" indicates that a space, position, or role is currently being used or held. For example, "All the rooms "are occupied by" conference attendees".

What are some alternatives to "are occupied by"?

Alternatives include "are taken up by", "are filled by", or "are inhabited by", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "are occupied by" or "are filled with"?

"Are occupied by" suggests a specific occupancy, whereas "are filled with" implies a more general abundance. For example, "The office is occupied by staff" vs "The office is filled with equipment".

What is the difference between "are occupied by" and "are used by"?

"Are occupied by" implies that something is currently residing or taking up a space, while "are used by" suggests that something is being actively utilized. The distinction depends on whether the focus is on presence or activity.