busy packing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "busy packing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone who is occupied with the task of packing, often in the context of preparing for a move or a trip. Example: "I can't talk right now; I'm busy packing for my vacation next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Mr. Bush has also been busy packing.

The New York Times

Busy packing her purse, his wife doesn't look up.

The New York Times - Arts

They were scheduled to fly to Florence on September 12th, and Susan was busy packing.

The New Yorker

At the White House yesterday, Bush administration staffers were busy packing up.

Independent

They, too, were busy packing cars with important papers and sentimental items.

The New York Times

At the Rite-Aid where Ms. Moona, 32, shopped, workers were busy packing plastic crates with cold products.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Thinking of everything: hand sanitizer, SPF, activities to keep us busy, packed lunches, homework, special show-and-tell, class snack, birthday cards, gifts... Picking my boxers up off the floor, repeating yourself for a third time when I haven't listened the first two, believing me when I say I'll do better... knowing I won't.

Huffington Post

But most of Wojnarowicz's painting was busier, packed with ruinous iconography: animal skulls, locomotives, soldiers, vaguely threatening flowers.

The New York Times - Books

Creatively, Canada's Arcade Fire lead this literate, busy pack by some distance, of course.

The Guardian - Music

Restaurants were busy, beaches packed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Inside, by all accounts, their home was busy and packed, with four bedrooms on the second floor and a boys' dormitory on the third floor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "occupied with packing" or "engaged in packing" for a more formal tone in academic or professional writing.

Common error

Avoid using "busy packing" when referring to the arrangement of items within a container in a general sense. Instead, use it to describe someone actively preparing to move or travel. If the items are already within the container use a synonym such as "well packed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "busy packing" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "busy" modifies the gerund "packing". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. Examples from Ludwig show its common usage in news articles and general writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "busy packing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe someone actively engaged in packing, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and serves to convey that someone is occupied with the task of preparing items for a move or trip. While generally neutral in tone, it can be adapted for more formal settings by using synonyms. Common errors include misusing it in contexts where the items are already packed. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying what is being packed. Authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupied with packing

Replaces "busy" with a synonym, focusing on the state of being engaged in the action of packing.

engaged in packing

Similar to "occupied with packing", but uses a slightly more formal tone.

preoccupied with packing

Implies that packing is dominating one's thoughts or attention.

involved in packing

Suggests participation in the activity of packing, often as part of a larger group.

actively packing

Emphasizes the energy and effort being put into packing.

in the process of packing

A more descriptive way of saying someone is currently packing.

packing industriously

Highlights the diligence and hard work involved in packing.

hustling with packing

Conveys a sense of hurried or energetic packing.

prepping for travel

Shifts the focus from the act of packing to the overall preparation for a trip.

getting ready to move

Specifies the reason for packing as preparation for relocation.

FAQs

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

You can use "busy packing" to describe someone who is actively preparing for a trip or move. For example: "She was busy packing her suitcase for the trip to Europe."

What are some alternatives to saying "busy packing"?

Alternatives include "occupied with packing", "engaged in packing", or "preoccupied with packing depending on the nuance you want to convey".

Is it correct to say "busy to pack" instead of "busy packing"?

No, "busy to pack" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "busy packing", where "packing" is a gerund (a verb form functioning as a noun).

What's the difference between "busy packing" and "packed full"?

"Busy packing" describes the action of someone preparing items for transport, while "packed full" describes the state of something being completely filled. For example, "She was busy packing her suitcase" versus "The suitcase was packed full of clothes".