are occupied with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are occupied with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone being engaged or busy with a particular task or activity. Example: "The team members are occupied with preparing the presentation for the upcoming conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Others are occupied with other political battles.

The New York Times

The Viengtai Hotel has 205 rooms but only 13 are occupied with 23 tourists.

Independent

Now whatever we've achieved feels fragile, and our energies are occupied with trying to prevent a slide backward.

The New Yorker

Though the women are occupied with their preparation, there's no doubt they've felt the influence of the movie.

The New York Times - Arts

Doodle I'm very fidgety, and I seem to work best when my hands are occupied with something other than what I'm thinking about.

The Guardian

Soldiers are occupied with duties like keeping order in endless, unruly gasoline lines and helping organize food distribution and the harvest.

The New York Times

For now, the people around Ms. Spears are occupied with more basic questions — about how she will live, rather than whether she might perform again.

The New York Times

They text more than they talk, Helton said, as both of them are occupied with families when they are not involved with their teams.

The New York Times - Sports

If there are trivalent cations (M3+), the composition is M3+/2 (OH)2O4 and two-thirds of the octahedrons are occupied, with the absence of the third octahedron.

Encyclopedia Britannica

My thoughts are occupied with nothing much beyond the thick clouds scudding down from the Hollywood Hills and a wind-borne rain that is rattling the casement windows.

The New York Times - Travel

The dramatist Pierre Corneille, for instance, wrote "I have employed music only to satisfy the ear while the eyes are occupied with looking at the machines".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are occupied with", ensure the subject clearly indicates who or what is busy or engaged. For enhanced clarity, specify the task or concern that is occupying their time or attention.

Common error

Avoid using "are occupied with" with an unclear or ambiguous subject. Vague subjects can confuse the reader about who or what is being described as busy. Always ensure the subject is well-defined and easily identifiable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are occupied with" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of being busy, engaged, or involved in a particular activity or task. This can pertain to using time, filling space, or holding attention as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are occupied with" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe being busy or engaged in something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts including news, science, and general writing, with a neutral tone. While alternatives like "are busy with" or "are engaged in" exist, "are occupied with" provides a clear and direct way to convey that someone's time or attention is currently being used for a specific activity. It's crucial to maintain clarity by ensuring that the subject of the phrase is well-defined, avoiding ambiguity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are busy with

Emphasizes active engagement and lack of free time.

are engaged in

Highlights active participation and involvement in an activity.

are involved in

Suggests participation or connection to something.

are engrossed in

Implies deep absorption and focus.

are preoccupied with

Indicates a state of being mentally focused or troubled by something.

are taken up with

Focuses on how time or attention is being consumed.

are consumed by

Indicates being completely dominated or controlled by something.

are dedicated to

Emphasizes commitment and focused effort towards a specific purpose.

are immersed in

Suggests a deep, enveloping experience.

are attentive to

Focuses on giving care or attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "are occupied with" to indicate that someone is busy or engaged in a particular activity. For example, "The students "are occupied with" their studies".

What are some alternatives to "are occupied with"?

Alternatives include "are busy with", "are engaged in", or "are involved in", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is occupied with" instead of "are occupied with"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "is occupied with" for singular subjects (e.g., "He is occupied with his work") and "are occupied with" for plural subjects (e.g., "They "are occupied with" their tasks").

What's the difference between "are occupied with" and "are preoccupied with"?

"Are occupied with" simply means being busy or engaged, while "are preoccupied with" suggests that someone's thoughts are dominated by a particular concern or worry. Therefore, "are preoccupied with" suggests more mental engagement, often with anxiety.