busy with schoolwork

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "busy with schoolwork" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe someone who is occupied or overwhelmed with completing their assignments and coursework for school. For example: Sandra was so busy with schoolwork that she didn't have time to hang out with her friends.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Six days before the visit, Soering phoned Gardner to say that he was busy with schoolwork but that he could meet in a week to give his blood and prints.

The New Yorker

Things have gotten busy with schoolwork and my personal life.

HuffPost

(Partly inspired by the excellent children's book Dear Napoleon, I Know You're Dead, But...) Dear Carl Sagan, First of all, I want to apologize for this letter being a little bit late, as I know your 77th birthday was actually Wednesday, November 9. I was busy with schoolwork and the like.

Huffington Post

Teach them on weekends or whenever they are free, as children are likely to be less busy with schoolwork.

WikiHow

If you're busy with schoolwork, friends, and pursuing your interests, you will be able to grow as a person and to continue improving yourself instead of pining after your guy.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Not to say he doesn't like the team, which he started following when he was about four: they are, as he points out, "The actual champions of Italy". In fact, Dan is more interested in rugby, playing five times a week for Saracens's youth team and for his school – quite a feat, given how busy he is with schoolwork and the little matter of his burgeoning acting career.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Debate helps with schoolwork, too.

The New York Times

It would interfere with schoolwork.

The New York Times - Sports

"He's like that with schoolwork, too.

The New York Times - Sports

Keeping up with schoolwork throughout the year is the best possible preparation.

The Washington Post

How are you balancing this with schoolwork and being a teenager?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "busy with schoolwork", ensure the context clearly indicates the person is actively engaged in academic tasks and that this engagement is impacting their availability for other activities.

Common error

Avoid using "busy with schoolwork" as a vague excuse. If someone is truly occupied with academic work, provide specific details or context to lend credibility and avoid appearing dismissive or uninterested.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "busy with schoolwork" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used as an adjective phrase following a verb like 'to be'. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of being occupied or engaged in academic tasks. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "busy with schoolwork" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase used to convey that someone is occupied with academic responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides illustrative examples. While alternatives exist, ranging from "occupied with studies" to "consumed by coursework", the original phrase remains a clear and concise way to express a commitment to one's education. Remember to use it in contexts where the connection to academic tasks is clear and relevant. Though the expression is considered uncommon, it is acceptable in both formal and informal writing. Ludwig is your English language platform!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupied with studies

Replaces 'schoolwork' with 'studies', a more general term for academic pursuits.

engrossed in academic tasks

Focuses on the engagement in academic tasks, implying a deep involvement.

consumed by coursework

Highlights the demanding nature of coursework, suggesting it takes up a significant amount of time.

tied up with scholastic duties

Uses more formal language to describe school-related responsibilities.

involved in academic activities

General term encompassing all types of school-related work.

preoccupied with learning

Emphasizes the mental focus on the learning process.

devoting time to education

Highlights the time dedicated to educational pursuits.

juggling school commitments

Emphasizes balancing various school related obligations.

handling academic responsibilities

Focuses on fulfilling requirements related to school.

managing a heavy academic workload

Implies that the amount of assigned schoolwork is significant.

FAQs

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

You can use "busy with schoolwork" to indicate that someone is occupied with academic tasks, such as homework, studying, or projects. For example, "She couldn't attend the party because she was /s/busy+with+schoolwork.".

What are some alternatives to saying "busy with schoolwork"?

Alternatives include "occupied with studies", "engrossed in academic tasks", or "consumed by coursework". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. See also "occupied with studies".

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

While "busy in schoolwork" might be understood, "busy with schoolwork" is the more common and grammatically correct phrasing. "With" indicates involvement or engagement, while "in" suggests location, which isn't the intended meaning here.

How does being "busy with schoolwork" differ from "having a lot of homework"?

"Busy with schoolwork" is a broader term that encompasses all academic activities, including studying, projects, and assignments. "Having a lot of homework" is more specific, referring only to assigned tasks to be completed outside of class.