busy city

USAGE SUMMARY

"busy city" is correct and can be used in written English.
It could be used in a sentence like: "The bustling streets of the busy city made it difficult to get around."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We're in such a crazy busy city".

The New York Times

Despite being a busy city, you're never far from nature.

Independent

London is a big and very busy city.

Independent

(Sidewalk, busy city, our hero in a crowd).

The New Yorker

The Île Saint-Louis constitutes a tranquil neighbourhood in the centre of the busy city.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"But the younger generations want cinemas, restaurants, the busy city life".

The New York Times

A 10% rise in traffic can bring gridlock to the centre of a busy city.

The Economist

In an instant, you've gone from busy city street to nightmare New York apartment.

The New York Times - Arts

There's something unexpectedly pleasing about a quiet car in a busy city.

The Guardian - Tech

On the right, the road marked "To Dad's" leads into the busy city.

The New York Times - Books

But Jenin is also a busy city, with an electric system, parks, schools and courts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "busy city", consider using specific details to illustrate its bustling nature, such as mentioning traffic, crowds, or the pace of life.

Common error

Avoid using only the phrase "busy city" without providing context. Instead, specify what makes the city busy, such as its economy, culture, or population, to create a more vivid and informative description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "busy city" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun. It characterizes the city as being active, crowded, and full of activity, as demonstrated by the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "busy city" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an active and bustling urban area. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used and understood. To enhance your writing, consider specifying what aspects of the city make it busy, such as its economy, culture, or population. While "busy city" is generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "active metropolitan area" may be suitable for academic or professional contexts. Remember to provide context to create a more vivid and informative description, avoiding overgeneralizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bustling metropolis

Emphasizes the energetic and lively atmosphere of a major city.

hectic urban center

Focuses on the fast-paced and often stressful nature of city life.

vibrant downtown

Highlights the lively and culturally rich aspects of a city's central area.

active metropolitan area

A more formal way of describing a city with significant activity and development.

thronging cityscape

Draws attention to the crowded and bustling environment of a city.

teeming urban landscape

Emphasizes the abundance of people and activity in a city's physical environment.

lively city center

Highlights the active and engaging atmosphere of the central part of a city.

dynamic urban environment

Focuses on the constantly changing and evolving nature of city life.

booming city

Suggests rapid economic growth and increased activity in the city.

crowded urban area

Simply describes the high density of people in a city.

FAQs

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

You can use "busy city" to describe a city with a lot of activity. For example: "Navigating the streets of the "busy city" can be challenging during rush hour."

What are some alternatives to "busy city"?

Alternatives include "bustling metropolis", "hectic urban center", or "vibrant downtown", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

What does it mean to call a city "busy"?

Calling a city "busy" implies that it has a high level of activity, often characterized by a large population, heavy traffic, numerous businesses, and a fast-paced lifestyle.

Is it appropriate to use "busy city" in formal writing?

While "busy city" is widely understood, more formal alternatives like "active metropolitan area" might be preferred in academic or professional contexts.