busy working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'busy working' is a correct and acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used when you want to describe someone who is focused on working and not doing anything else. For example: "John was busy working on his presentation, so he didn't have time to talk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite his involvement in union business he continued to be a busy working actor.

Wikipedia

"Busy working.

The Washington Post

Why? Busy working parents?

The New York Times

I've been too busy working".

The New York Times

He was busy working.

The Washington Post

In the meantime, I'm busy working.

The New York Times

He will be too busy working.

Independent

I've been too busy working.

The Guardian - Film

Most seem too busy working.

The New York Times - Arts

And he's been busy working.

The New York Times

"I'm very busy working for them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "busy working", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of work being done or the reason for being busy. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "busy working" as a standalone statement without providing context. It's more effective to specify what the person is working on, such as "busy working on a project" rather than just "busy working".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "busy working" functions as a descriptive phrase, combining an adjective ("busy") with a present participle ("working") to describe a state of active engagement in labor or tasks. It often modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that someone or something is currently involved in work. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "busy working" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe someone actively engaged in work. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is used correctly to describe someone who is focused on working and not doing anything else. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating its widespread use and acceptability. While it's a straightforward phrase, it's important to provide context about the type of work being done for clarity. Alternatives like "hard at work" or "actively employed" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard at work

Stresses the effort and diligence being put into the work.

diligently working

Emphasizes the consistent and careful effort in performing tasks.

actively engaged in work

Emphasizes the involvement and participation in work-related activities.

industriously laboring

Suggests a strong and consistent work ethic, often involving physical effort.

deeply involved in tasks

Highlights the significant level of participation and investment in specific jobs.

occupied with work

Highlights that work is filling one's time and attention.

assiduously toiling

Implies persistent and dedicated effort, often over a long period.

engrossed in labor

Focuses on being completely absorbed and immersed in the work.

actively employed

Focuses on the state of having a job or being engaged in work, rather than the act of working itself.

up to one's neck in work

Indicates an overwhelming amount of work, suggesting a state of being extremely busy.

FAQs

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

You can use "busy working" to describe someone actively engaged in work, such as: "She was "busy working" on her thesis all night."

What are some alternatives to saying "busy working"?

Alternatives include "hard at work", "actively employed", or "occupied with work", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I'm busy to work" instead of "busy working"?

No, "I'm busy to work" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "I'm "busy working"" or "I'm busy with work."

What's the difference between "busy working" and "working hard"?

"Busy working" describes a state of being actively engaged in work, while "working hard" emphasizes the effort and intensity of the work being done. You can be "busy working" without necessarily "working hard", and vice versa.