became busy

USAGE SUMMARY

'became busy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about how something or someone increased or started to include more activities: "Once the new semester started, Susan became busy with her studies and extracurricular activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

September came, and the university became busy again.

The New Yorker

Last winter, he became busy with travel and work (he has written three books for institutional investors).

The New York Times

Alex Conant, a spokesman for the Pawlenty campaign, said Wednesday that Mr. Hubbard "became busy with work and is not operating in the policy role".

The New York Times

A three-point Richmond lead at quarter-time quickly blew out to a game-high 21 as Riewoldt became busy but the Roos did well to steady and hit back, with Waite their most dangerous forward.

The Guardian - Sport

In the summer, during his early-morning routines, the tree outside the boy's window became busy with grackles coming and going, and then, as the sun rose, filled with the birds' harsh sounds, tearing sounds, which, as the boy sat cross-legged with his chin to his chest, sounded through the pane like rusty screws turning, some complexly stuck thing coming loose with a shriek.

The New Yorker

The home side became busy and committed, but Hibs were able to absorb the worst of the pressure.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Instead, Plattsburgh was closed, and McGuire became busier than ever.

The New York Times

As he became busier and busier, he came increasingly to value efficiency.

The Guardian

Silva grew in prominence in the final half-hour as Guzan became busier and Villa could not quite hang on.

The Guardian - Sport

"But the kids considered his not being around so much an abandonment, more than just 'He's busy.' He just became busier".

The New Yorker

But Lewis became busier than ever, and in the N.F.L., where coaches have less free time than elves at Christmas, time passes quickly.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "became busy" to indicate a transition into a state of increased activity or occupation. It's particularly useful when describing a change in someone's schedule or workload.

Common error

Avoid using "became busy" excessively in passive constructions. Instead of "The project became busy with revisions", opt for a more direct and active voice: "The team became busy revising the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became busy" functions as a verb phrase indicating a change of state, specifically transitioning into a condition of increased activity or occupation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English. The phrase modifies a subject by describing how it has changed over time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "became busy" accurately describes a shift to a more active state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a broad spectrum of writing styles. While alternatives like "got occupied" and "became engaged" exist, "became busy" remains a straightforward and versatile choice for indicating increased activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

got occupied

Implies taking up time with something.

became engaged

Suggests involvement or participation.

got tied up

Suggests being busy with commitments.

became engrossed

Implies complete absorption in something.

entered a busy period

Highlights a phase of increased activity.

found oneself occupied

More formal way of saying someone became busy.

had their hands full

Idiomatic expression for being very busy.

took on more work

Focuses on accepting additional responsibilities.

immersed oneself

Suggests deep involvement, often willingly.

was overwhelmed with activities

Highlights a negative aspect of being busy: the feeling of being burdened.

FAQs

What does "became busy" mean?

The phrase "became busy" means to start being occupied or engaged with activities or tasks. It implies a shift from a less active state to one with more demands on one's time or resources.

How can I use "became busy" in a sentence?

You can use "became busy" to describe someone or something that has increased its level of activity. For example: "After the holidays, the office "became busy" with new projects."

What are some alternatives to "became busy"?

Some alternatives include "got occupied", "became engaged", or "got tied up", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "become busy" or "became busy"?

"Became busy" is the past tense form, while "become busy" is the base form. Use "became busy" when referring to something that happened in the past and "become busy" when discussing a future or habitual action. For example: "He "became busy" after starting his new job" vs. "He will "become busy" once the project starts."