given how busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "given how busy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement or opinion that takes into account someone's busy schedule or circumstances. Example: "Given how busy everyone is this week, we should postpone the meeting until next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Unfortunately, given how busy the ward was, there was nowhere available other than the bedside.

The Guardian

Given how busy modern life is, we can think of stillness and silence as another "diversifying" experience.

The Washington Post

But given how busy the bridges over the East River into Manhattan were this morning, that's not going to be a smooth journey.

The Guardian

Where to stand: Out of the way of the pillars, which can spoil the view if you get stuck behind one – and getting stuck is a real possibility given how busy it can get.

The Guardian - Music

Soko is half an hour late for our rendezvous at her record company offices in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, though given how busy her life is right now, it's a wonder she makes it at all.

The Guardian - Music

Given how busy many NHS staff are as the service struggles to deal with rising demand for care, their withdrawal of goodwill on the other four days – such as by insisting on receiving overtime payment which they usually forego because extra hours are so common – could cause difficulties for the NHS hospital trusts that employ them.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

I can't possibly track all the details, given the breadth of my beat (and I will be busy battening down given how other recent flooding storms have affected my part of the Hudson Valley).

The New York Times

Supervisors decide on how many people are stopped in a given hour, depending on how busy the station is at the time.

The New York Times

"Given what you know about how busy people's lives are, how many new people are in the state, and that most people don't read newspapers for political news, I actually saw this as a case where the glass was half full," Ms. Reed said.

The New York Times

We also developed "peristudy volume," defined as CTs read within ±30minutes of a given CT, an estimate of how busy a resident might be at a giventime.

Duke University

Thanks to this, you could easily crowdsource data about roadside construction, for example, or how busy a given intersection currently is.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "given how busy", ensure the statement that follows logically connects to the busyness being acknowledged. This creates a clear cause-and-effect relationship in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "given how busy" as a mere introductory phrase without a clear connection to the subsequent statement. Ensure the rest of the sentence explains something that is affected by the state of being busy, otherwise, the phrase becomes redundant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given how busy" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by providing context or reason. It typically introduces a statement that takes into account or is influenced by the fact that someone is busy. As Ludwig shows, it sets the stage for an explanation or decision.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Lifestyle

13%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "given how busy" is a versatile phrase used to acknowledge someone's hectic schedule and provide context for a related statement. It functions as an adverbial phrase, is grammatically correct, and is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is well-established across various sources, with the most frequent use in News & Media. Related phrases like "considering the workload" or "taking into account the hectic schedule" can offer alternative ways to express similar consideration. When using this phrase, remember to ensure that there is a clear and logical connection between the acknowledgment of busyness and the subsequent statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking into account the hectic schedule

Emphasizes the chaotic nature of the schedule being considered.

considering the packed agenda

Emphasizes the fullness of the schedule being considered.

considering the workload

Focuses on the amount of work someone has, rather than just the state of being busy.

understanding the lack of free time

Directly addresses the scarcity of free time.

in light of the time constraints

Highlights the limitations imposed by a lack of time.

due to the demanding commitments

Focuses on the obligations that contribute to someone's busyness.

recognizing the demanding lifestyle

Highlights the overall demanding nature of someone's life.

bearing in mind the current obligations

Highlights the responsibilities that contribute to the person's busy state.

seeing as time is short

More informal way of acknowledging limited time.

knowing how occupied things are

Acknowledges that someone has many things on their plate.

FAQs

How can I use "given how busy" in a sentence?

You can use "given how busy" to introduce a reason or explanation that takes into account someone's hectic schedule. For example, "Given how busy you are, I'll keep this brief."

What are some alternatives to "given how busy"?

Alternatives include phrases like "considering the workload", "taking into account the hectic schedule", or "due to the demanding commitments".

Is it appropriate to use "given how busy" in formal writing?

Yes, "given how busy" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, in formal contexts, you might consider alternatives like "in light of" or "considering" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "given how busy" and "because of how busy"?

"Given how busy" introduces a statement that acknowledges someone's busyness, while "because of how busy" emphasizes that the busyness is the direct cause of something. The former sets a context, while the latter provides a reason.