busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "busy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or a situation. For example, "I am busy this week preparing for an exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"East Coast is particularly sorry, too, for the inconvenience to its customers as a result on what we know is an already very busy travel day immediately following the Christmas break.

The Guardian - Business

"In more congested areas or particularly busy times of the day, then vehicles on key roads might be given priority in order to keep the traffic flowing".

The Guardian - Tech

"Tickets are valid on all other routes into London and Southern passengers are advised to avoid travelling through Clapham Junction, which is very busy.

The Guardian

Over at another forum discussing the same topic (some folks are busy out there) there is indeed what appears to be a Google executive posting that recent changes in were "an enforcement of our viewcount policy".

The Guardian - Tech

Equally menswear is busy getting its flounce on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She says she wants to do it, but every time she has an album coming out, I do too, so we're both way too busy.

The Guardian - Music

The 23-second film shows Zambrano-Montes chased across the street by three officers, after he had reportedly been throwing rocks at traffic on a busy intersection.

The Guardian

In a busy schedule where usually the legislation is very arcane, it can take years, if ever, for necessary change to occur.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We've got an extremely busy period not too far from now, and must handle that very carefully.

The Guardian - Sport

When Brooke was first born, Lewis couldn't claim benefits because they considered him a dependant on his girlfriend's student loans; but she couldn't go to college because she was busy having a baby.

The Guardian

And towns as as large as neighbouring Griffith, a busy hub which appeared to be full of vim, vigour and young men in noisy cars doing "mainies" on a Sunday night.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing schedules, use "busy" to convey a high volume of tasks. For example, "a busy week" or "a busy day".

Common error

Avoid using "busy" as a vague excuse. Instead, provide specific context about what is occupying your time to manage expectations effectively.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "busy" is as an adjective, describing a noun's state of being actively engaged or occupied. Ludwig shows numerous examples where "busy" modifies nouns like "street", "day", or "period".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "busy" is a versatile and frequently used adjective, correctly applied across a wide range of contexts to indicate a state of high activity or engagement. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and prevalence. Whether describing a "busy street", a "busy day", or a "busy person", "busy" effectively communicates the concept of being occupied. Understanding its function and purpose enables precise and impactful communication in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupied

Focuses on being actively engaged, often implying a specific task or activity.

engaged

Highlights involvement or participation, suggesting attentiveness.

swamped

Implies being overwhelmed with tasks or responsibilities.

tied up

Suggests being committed and unavailable due to other obligations.

hectic

Emphasizes a period filled with frantic activity or disarray.

overwhelmed

Focuses on being burdened by too much to handle.

working

Highlights the state of actively performing labor or tasks.

in use

Refers to something or someone actively being utilized or engaged.

on duty

Signifies being actively performing an assigned task or responsibility.

preoccupied

Suggests having one's mind engaged or absorbed by other things.

FAQs

How can I use "busy" in a sentence?

You can use "busy" to describe someone who is actively engaged in activities, like "She is too busy to answer the phone" or to describe something that has a lot of activity, like "It's a busy street."

What's the difference between "busy" and "occupied"?

"Busy" implies a state of activity or engagement, while "occupied" suggests that something or someone is being used or filled. For example, "He is busy with work" versus "The seat is occupied".

What can I say instead of "I'm busy"?

You can use alternatives like "I'm "tied up"", "I'm "engaged"", or "I'm "swamped"" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "busy" or "busying"?

"Busy" is typically used as an adjective to describe a state of being occupied or engaged. "Busying" is the present participle of the verb "to busy", which means to make someone busy or to occupy oneself. Both are correct but used in different contexts.