busy with other commitments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "busy with other commitments" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to explain why you cannot do something due to having previously arranged obligations. For example: "I'm sorry, I can't come to the party. I'm busy with other commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

To my great disappointment, we were not able to meet with Tony Abbott's ministers, they were busy with other commitments.

The Guardian - Opinion

The producers said Watros was busy with other commitments, and they could not reveal Libby's story without her.

Wikipedia

Townsend and Hoglan were the primary writers of the album, since Simon and Stroud were busy with other commitments.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Over the course of the degree, you'll learn via engaging videos, webinars and downloadable notes, fitting study around busy schedules and other commitments.

The Guardian

Of the band's five members, only Stevie Nicks isn't on the premises, busy attending to other commitments, they say.

Los Angeles Times

(028 Mother, Low-SES)" Other barriers that parents reported were being busy, other commitments (including work) and financial cost for some.

BMC Public Health

He's busy with other things.

The New Yorker

She's "busy with other projects," explained her agent yesterday.

Independent

I'd been so busy with other things.

The New Yorker

Australia's Tony Abbott said he was busy with other matters.

The Economist

Everyone in the band was busy with other projects.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When declining an invitation or explaining unavailability, use "busy with other commitments" to politely convey that your schedule is already full and that you have pre-existing obligations.

Common error

While useful, avoid relying too heavily on "busy with other commitments". Vary your language to provide more specific reasons for your unavailability, such as "attending a conference" or "completing a project", to add clarity and personalization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "busy with other commitments" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a subject (often implied) to indicate a state of being unavailable or occupied. It's used to provide a reason for declining requests or explaining limited availability. As Ludwig AI points out, it is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "busy with other commitments" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a lack of availability due to pre-existing obligations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to informal conversations. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and choose more specific alternatives when appropriate to enhance clarity and avoid overuse. Related phrases such as "occupied with other obligations" and "involved in other engagements" can provide more formal or specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupied with other obligations

Replaces "commitments" with "obligations", emphasizing a sense of duty.

involved in other engagements

Uses "engagements" to suggest scheduled activities, possibly social or professional.

preoccupied with other matters

Emphasizes mental absorption in other concerns.

tied up with other responsibilities

Highlights the burden and demand of the other tasks.

engaged in other pursuits

Focuses on active involvement in other activities, especially those that are self-directed.

consumed by other tasks

Implies that the other tasks are demanding and time-consuming.

devoted to other projects

Suggests dedication and commitment to other long-term endeavors.

handling other affairs

Indicates management of other business or personal matters.

attending to other priorities

Highlights the importance of other tasks that need to be addressed.

taken up with other activities

Indicates that other activities are occupying one's time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "busy with other commitments" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "occupied with other obligations" or "involved in other engagements". These options convey a sense of professional responsibility.

What's a more casual way to say "busy with other commitments"?

In a more casual context, you might say "tied up with other responsibilities" or "handling other affairs". These options sound less formal and more conversational.

Is it appropriate to use "busy with other commitments" in professional emails?

Yes, it's generally acceptable to use "busy with other commitments" in professional emails. However, providing a brief, polite explanation (if appropriate) can enhance the communication.

What's the difference between "busy with other commitments" and "engaged in other pursuits"?

"Busy with other commitments" implies pre-existing obligations, whereas "engaged in other pursuits" suggests active involvement in personal activities or interests. The former is often used to decline requests, while the latter explains how one's time is spent.