busy preparing

USAGE SUMMARY

"busy preparing" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts to indicate that someone is actively engaged in preparing for something. For example: 1. She is busy preparing for her exams and doesn't have time to hang out with friends. 2. The chefs were busy preparing a delicious dinner for the guests. 3. The team is busy preparing for the upcoming competition. 4. He spent the entire weekend busy preparing his presentation for the meeting. 5. The students were all busy preparing for the school's annual play.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wolfe, busy preparing "Jelly" for Broadway, declined.

The New Yorker

Electricians were busy preparing sound systems.

The New York Times

Keegan and Manford are busy preparing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Today Green is busy preparing for the N.B.A. season.

The New York Times

On Thursday Gamez was busy preparing for Friday's opening ceremony.

The New York Times

Now he was busy preparing for its sendoff.

The New Yorker

"We've tried to stay busy preparing," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

If so, get busy preparing for next year.

The Washington Post

They were too busy preparing to fight the Soviets.

The New York Times

Both musicians are busy preparing new albums for release this year.

Independent

In fact, defense ministry officials across Europe are busy preparing to leave Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "busy preparing" to convey a sense of active and focused preparation for a specific event or task. It implies that the subject is actively engaged and may have limited availability due to their preparations.

Common error

While "busy preparing" is widely accepted, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "actively engaged in preparation" or "diligently preparing" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "busy preparing" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase followed by a gerund, modifying a noun (often implied) to indicate a state of active preparation. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "busy preparing" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone actively engaged in getting ready for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it enjoys widespread use, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional contexts. Key alternatives include "actively preparing" and "diligently preparing". When using the phrase, ensure it accurately conveys the sense of active and focused preparation. Be mindful of overusing it in formal writing where more sophisticated vocabulary may be appropriate. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

actively preparing

Emphasizes the active nature of the preparation.

diligently preparing

Highlights the care and effort involved in the preparation.

preparing assiduously

Highlights the consistent and attentive effort involved in the preparation.

intensely preparing

Stresses the high level of concentration during preparation.

earnestly preparing

Focuses on the sincere and serious intent behind the preparation.

in the process of preparing

Describes the ongoing nature of the preparation.

engaged in preparation

A more formal way of expressing active preparation.

making preparations

Focuses on the actions taken to prepare.

in preparation

A shorter, more concise way of indicating that something is being prepared.

getting ready

A more informal way of saying preparing.

FAQs

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

You can use "busy preparing" to describe someone actively engaged in getting ready for something. For example, "The team is busy preparing for the championship game".

What are some alternatives to "busy preparing"?

Alternatives include "actively preparing", "diligently preparing", or "making preparations", depending on the context.

Is "busy preparing" formal or informal?

"Busy preparing" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both informal and most formal contexts. For very formal writing, consider alternatives.

What's the difference between "busy preparing" and "getting ready"?

"Busy preparing" suggests a higher level of activity and focus, while "getting ready" is a more general term for preparing, and implies less intensity.