has been occupied with

USAGE SUMMARY

'has been occupied with' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has kept a person busy or distracted. For example, "John has been occupied with work lately and hasn't had much free time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Much of my professional life has been occupied with stories transferred from one medium to another.

The New York Times

Since Sept. 8th the trial has been occupied with the selection of a jury, known as voir dire proceedings.

The New Yorker

Ever since his investigation into the mind of a murderer, L'Adversaire (The Adversary), came out in 2000, he has been occupied with revealing elements of his own life and others', exploring a type of "variable-geometry autobiography" in which he himself plays a part in his stories – not necessarily as the protagonist, but as "a narrator who is very present, very implicated".

The Guardian - Books

In his previous seven pro seasons, the Northern Irishman has been occupied with European Tour events in the Middle East.

Los Angeles Times

The preceding talk has been occupied with the description of Franco's negative mental state.

Disability and Rehabilitation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I've been occupied with my husband's campaign," she said.

The New York Times

He also said he had been occupied with other projects in his empire.

The Guardian - Business

White House officials said the president's schedule had been occupied with debt-limit negotiations with congressional leaders.

The Guardian

It seems that, while we've been occupied with the economy, the election and Gangnam Style, some interesting changes have occurred under the radar.

The New York Times

The correspondence there showed that James Hogue had been occupied with a larger, more imaginative goal than disposing of the stolen bikes.

The New Yorker

His wife, who had been occupied with Instagramming each dish, nodded before looking up and taking stock of the black-and-white mosaic tiles around the restaurant.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance; "has been occupied with" often suggests more than simply being 'busy', hinting at a deeper level of engagement or concern.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of passive constructions like "has been occupied with" can make your writing sound less direct. Consider active alternatives if appropriate to make writing more concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been occupied with" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present perfect passive construction. It describes a state where someone's time or attention has been taken up by something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been occupied with" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe someone being busy or engaged with a particular activity or concern. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for written English and finds usage across news, scientific, and general contexts, though it's relatively infrequent. While acceptable in various settings, consider active alternatives for a more direct writing style. The phrase is generally neutral in formality. Similar phrases include "has been engaged in" and "has been busy with", which offer slight differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been busy with

A more straightforward and common way to express being engaged with activities or tasks.

has spent time on

A more general alternative indicating the investment of time in a particular activity.

has been preoccupied with

This alternative implies a mental state of being absorbed or distracted by something, often to the exclusion of other things.

has been engaged in

This alternative emphasizes active involvement or participation, shifting from passive occupation to active engagement.

has been involved in

This alternative highlights participation or connection to something, suggesting a less intense focus than 'occupied'.

has been immersed in

Suggests a deep, almost total involvement, implying a complete focus on the subject.

has been engrossed in

This alternative suggests a deep and captivating involvement, implying a stronger level of absorption.

has concentrated on

Highlights the focus and attention given to a specific task or subject.

has devoted time to

Emphasizes the allocation of time and effort to a particular activity or subject.

has dedicated efforts to

Similar to 'devoted time to' but stresses the commitment and purposeful action.

FAQs

What does "has been occupied with" mean?

The phrase "has been occupied with" means that someone has been busy or engaged with something, often implying that their time and attention have been taken up by it.

What can I say instead of "has been occupied with"?

You can use alternatives like "has been busy with", "has been involved in", or "has been engaged in" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "has been occupied by" instead of "has been occupied with"?

While "has been occupied by" is a valid phrase, it has a different meaning. It usually refers to a place being physically inhabited or controlled, whereas "has been occupied with" refers to someone being busy or engaged with something.

How formal is the phrase "has been occupied with"?

The phrase "has been occupied with" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for both professional and informal contexts.