being very busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being very busy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of having a lot of tasks or responsibilities that occupy one's time. Example: "I apologize for my delayed response; I've been very busy with work and personal commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Bruce was not interested he was the head of one of Australia's largest importing houses and thus had a serious conflict of interest with the portfolio, as well as being very busy running the affairs of that business.

Wikipedia

Despite being very busy, the doctors patiently answered all my questions.

The Guardian

"Aside from being very busy, we're doing our best to get every phone call answered," she said.

The New York Times

Mr. Hidary, for his part, describes himself as being "very busy," with visits to synagogues, churches and mosques, and speaking engagements at technology-related events.

The New York Times

Buffon, by contrast, thought it was absurd to imagine God being "very busy with the way a beetle's wing should fold".

The New York Times - Travel

Buffon, by contrast, thought it was absurd to imagine God being "very busy with the way a beetle's wing should fold". He thought species were simply groups of animals breeding together — and changing — over time.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Business owners are very busy people.

WikiHow

"She's very busy".

Independent

We've been very busy".

The New York Times

"Successful people are very busy.

The New York Times

A We're very busy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience. In formal communication, alternatives like "extremely occupied" or "heavily engaged" might be more suitable than "being very busy".

Common error

While "being very busy" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being very busy" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a subject to describe their current state of activity. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this indicates that the subject has numerous tasks or responsibilities occupying their time.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being very busy" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase to use in many situations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the examples showcase its versatility across various contexts. While not as common as some synonyms, "being very busy" is readily understood and accepted. Consider choosing it to convey your limited availability or heavy workload, keeping in mind that there are many alternative phrasings, like "extremely occupied" or "having a lot on one's plate" that may suit your specific needs better. However, based on Ludwig, this phrase is generally considered correct and acceptable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely occupied

This is a more formal way of saying "being very busy".

having a lot on one's plate

This alternative suggests having numerous responsibilities or tasks to handle.

quite swamped

This alternative heightens the feeling of being overwhelmed.

swamped with work

This implies being overwhelmed by a large amount of work.

up to one's ears in work

Similar to 'swamped', it suggests being deeply immersed in work.

overwhelmed with tasks

Emphasizes the feeling of being burdened by many tasks.

tied up with commitments

This highlights being engaged with various obligations and appointments.

heavily involved

This indicates significant participation and engagement in activities.

fully engaged

Indicates complete involvement and dedication to activities.

actively working

Suggests a continuous state of being engaged in work.

FAQs

What does "being very busy" mean?

The phrase "being very busy" means that someone has a lot of tasks, responsibilities, or activities occupying their time, leaving them with little free time.

What can I say instead of "being very busy"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely occupied", "swamped with work", or "heavily involved" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am being very busy"?

Yes, "I am being very busy" is grammatically correct. It is used to describe a temporary state or a period when you have a lot of tasks. A more common and natural phrasing might be "I've been very busy."

How can I use "being very busy" in a sentence?

You can use it to explain why you can't take on additional commitments, such as: "I appreciate the offer, but I am "extremely occupied" these days."