be kept busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be kept busy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being occupied or engaged in activities, often to prevent boredom or idleness. Example: "During the summer, I like to be kept busy with various projects and hobbies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Sign painters could be kept busy.

The New York Times

He'll be kept busy again versus Chivas.

The Guardian - Sport

Second, UPS would be kept busy integrating TNT.

The Economist

Deminers such as Boiko will be kept busy for years.

The Washington Post

But the children won't sit; they'll be kept busy.

The New York Times - Travel

The government gumshoes and their consultants are likely to be kept busy.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Normally, the young couple is kept busy by their business, and the mother-in-law stays at home to take care of their child and the housework.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Ms. Bartesaghi, the mother of two, started her business six years ago, and today is kept busy by homeowners throughout Westchester and Fairfield Counties.

The New York Times

They are kept busy.

The Economist

All were kept busy.

The New York Times - Arts

These players have been kept busy.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be kept busy" when you want to express that someone or something is actively engaged in tasks or activities, often to avoid idleness or boredom. For example, "The new software will be kept busy processing large datasets."

Common error

Avoid using "be kept busy" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "actively engaged" or "consistently occupied" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be kept busy" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating a state of being occupied or engaged in activities. Ludwig examples show it used to describe people, organizations, or even equipment that are actively working or engaged.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be kept busy" is a common and grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to describe a state of being occupied or actively engaged. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase adheres to standard grammar rules and is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in overly formal writing, opting for more sophisticated alternatives. Understanding its function and purpose helps writers use it effectively to convey a sense of activity and engagement. When considering frequency in different contexts the phrase appears to be most often used in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be occupied

A general term for being engaged in activities; less specific than "be kept busy".

remain occupied

Focuses on a state of continued engagement, similar to "be kept busy" but with a slightly more formal tone.

stay active

Emphasizes the physical aspect of being engaged, implying movement and energy expenditure.

be fully engaged

Highlights the level of involvement and attention, rather than just being occupied.

have a lot on one's plate

An idiomatic expression indicating a heavy workload or numerous responsibilities.

have one's hands full

Another idiomatic expression indicating being overwhelmed with tasks or responsibilities.

be tied up

Suggests being constrained by commitments, preventing availability for other activities.

be hard at work

Emphasizes the effort and diligence involved in the activities.

be engrossed

Indicates deep absorption in an activity, to the point of being unaware of surroundings.

be up to one's ears

Indicates being completely submerged in work or activities, often to the point of stress.

FAQs

How can I use "be kept busy" in a sentence?

You can use "be kept busy" to describe a situation where someone or something is actively engaged in tasks. For example, "The volunteers will "be kept busy" organizing donations."

What can I say instead of "be kept busy"?

You can use alternatives like "remain occupied", "stay active", or "be fully engaged" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be kept busy" or "being kept busy"?

"Be kept busy" is generally used as a future or conditional statement, while "being kept busy" is used in continuous tenses. For example, "He will "be kept busy" with the new project" versus "He is "being kept busy" by his responsibilities".

What's the difference between "be kept busy" and "have a lot on one's plate"?

"Be kept busy" simply means to have tasks to do, while "have a lot on one's plate" implies being overwhelmed with responsibilities and feeling stressed.