busy with work

USAGE SUMMARY

"busy with work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone is occupied with a task, for example, "She is so busy with work that she has no time to go out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm busy with work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I always said I was too busy with work.

The New York Times

(I took a trip; she was busy with work).

The New Yorker

My husband is busy with work in the summer.

The New York Times - Travel

Never mind that the doctors themselves are too busy with work to dwell on their status.

The New York Times - Books

My dad was always busy with work and martini dinners that lasted late into the night.

The New York Times

One effective way astronauts combat boredom is by staying busy with work.

The New York Times - Magazine

But when the situation is good, you're too busy with work".

The New York Times

But she fears AIDS, so "I just keep myself busy with work," she said.

The New York Times

The first few years, she said, she was too busy with work.

The New York Times - Arts

I've been busy with work, with Lucy, with her friends, with family.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "busy with work" to politely decline social invitations or explain limited availability. For example, "I can't make it to the party, as I'm currently busy with work."

Common error

Be mindful of overusing "busy with work" as a constant excuse, as it can strain relationships. Ensure you balance work explanations with genuine expressions of interest and alternative solutions when declining invitations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "busy with work" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a prepositional phrase, modifying a subject (often implied or stated elsewhere in the sentence). As Ludwig AI correctly indicates, it's used to describe someone's state of being occupied with professional tasks or duties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "busy with work" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase to describe someone occupied with professional duties. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose is often to explain unavailability, and its register is generally neutral, fitting both casual and professional scenarios. While frequently found in News & Media, it also appears in Science and Encyclopedias. When using the phrase, be mindful of potential overuse and consider more formal alternatives like "occupied with professional duties" for certain contexts. Its high frequency and diverse applications make it an essential part of everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard at work

A simpler way to describe someone who is actively working.

occupied with professional duties

A more formal way of saying "busy with work", suggesting a focus on official tasks.

engrossed in job-related tasks

Emphasizes the level of focus and involvement in work activities.

working diligently

Focuses on the effort and dedication applied to work.

consumed by work commitments

Highlights the demanding nature of work and its impact on time and availability.

tied up with business matters

Suggests involvement in specific business affairs that require attention.

absorbed in workplace obligations

Indicates full attention is directed towards work-related duties.

involved in career activities

Focuses on overall professional development and engagement.

swamped with work responsibilities

Implies being overwhelmed by the amount of work.

dedicated to employment

Highlights commitment to one's job or career.

FAQs

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

You can use "busy with work" to explain why you are unable to do something. For example, "I can't attend the meeting because I'm too busy with work" or "She is /s/occupied+with+job-related+tasks, so she won't be able to join us for dinner".

What's a more formal alternative to "busy with work"?

More formal alternatives include "/s/occupied+with+professional+duties" or "/s/involved+in+career+activities". These phrases sound more professional and are suitable for formal communications.

Is it appropriate to use "busy with work" in a professional email?

Yes, it's generally acceptable to use "busy with work" in a professional email, but consider the context. If you want to be more formal, use a phrase like "/s/consumed+by+work+commitments" to convey the same meaning with a slightly more professional tone.

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

"Busy with work" simply means you have a lot to do, while "/s/swamped+with+work+responsibilities" suggests you are struggling to manage the workload. "Overwhelmed" implies a negative emotional response to the amount of work.