busy with assignments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "busy with assignments" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is occupied or engaged in completing tasks or homework. Example: "I can't meet you for lunch today because I'm busy with assignments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Solti now spends 14 weeks a year in Chicago, & between times he is busy with assignments in Europe.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But she has been too busy with assignment work lately to figure out how to meet the sudden demand for a buyable version of her project; she's considering perhaps a postcard book, and maybe working through a third party to make some prints available.

The New York Times - Magazine

While he is probably not working on as many matters as he might have been had Sept. 11 been an ordinary day, Mr. Waxman said he remained busy with new assignments, including preparing to testify as an expert witness in a new lawsuit.

The New York Times

Moreover, the students felt they did not have time for personal learning goals because they were too busy with other assignments.

Advances in Health Sciences Education

P2 had used Twitter sporadically over the sampled period with long periods away annually from Twitter when P2 "got busy" with working, study, assignments and writing.

Disability and Rehabilitation

Asker and Bærum's second patrol had been busy with a psychiatric assignment and had been given orders to leave it.

The Guardian

My colleague, Jim, who probably shouldn't have been on the adventure because he was so busy with his Olympic assignment as the head technical supervisor of the Bird's Nest Stadium, spent the entire trip talking on his cell phone.

Huffington Post

"Teachers can get pretty creative with assignments," she said.

The New Yorker

Not keeping up with assignments.

WikiHow

Are they busy with hobbies?

The New York Times

They're busy with themselves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "busy with assignments", ensure the context clearly indicates what kind of assignments you are referring to, especially if it's not immediately obvious. For example, specify "busy with school assignments" or "busy with work assignments" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "busy with assignments" when the tasks are not formal assignments or have a different character. For example, if someone is helping with chores around the house, it's more appropriate to say "busy with household tasks" rather than "busy with assignments".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "busy with assignments" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject, indicating a state of being occupied or engaged. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in describing someone's current activities. It highlights that their time and attention are focused on completing specific assigned tasks.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "busy with assignments" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe being occupied with specific tasks or homework. According to Ludwig, this expression is suitable across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While its usage is generally neutral, specifying the type of assignments (e.g., "school assignments", "work assignments") can add clarity. For alternative expressions, consider "occupied with tasks" or "engaged in coursework" for more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupied with tasks

Replaces "busy" with "occupied" and "assignments" with the more general "tasks", slightly increasing formality.

engaged in coursework

Specifically refers to academic work, replacing "assignments" with "coursework".

involved in projects

Emphasizes active participation in projects, broadening the scope from specific assignments.

preoccupied with duties

Suggests that the person is deeply absorbed in their responsibilities.

consumed by responsibilities

Implies that the person is overwhelmed by their responsibilities, adding a sense of burden.

working on tasks

A simpler and more direct way of saying someone is occupied with tasks.

taken up with obligations

Suggests that the person's time is filled with mandatory activities.

handling responsibilities

Focuses on the act of managing and dealing with responsibilities.

tied up with commitments

Indicates that the person's time is booked due to previous commitments.

devoted to schoolwork

Highlights dedication to academic pursuits, replacing "busy" with "devoted".

FAQs

How can I use "busy with assignments" in a sentence?

You can use "busy with assignments" to describe someone who is occupied with completing tasks or homework. For example, "I can't meet you for lunch today because I'm "busy with assignments".

What can I say instead of "busy with assignments"?

You can use alternatives like "occupied with tasks", "engaged in coursework", or "involved in projects" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "busy in assignments" instead of "busy with assignments"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "with". Saying "busy in assignments" is grammatically incorrect. "Busy with" is the standard construction to indicate being occupied by something.

What's the difference between "busy with assignments" and "busy with work"?

"Busy with assignments" typically refers to specific tasks that have been assigned, often in an academic or professional setting. "Busy with work" is a broader term that can encompass all job-related activities, not just specific assignments.