have been occupied with

USAGE SUMMARY

'have been occupied with' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that one is actively engaged in an activity or endeavor. For example, "I've been occupied with work all week and haven't had much time to relax."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Most of these expeditions, under such men as Meyer, Beccari, D'Albertis, and Miklucho Maclay, have been occupied with the western part of the island, our knowledge of the eastern and larger half having been practically almost a blank.

Nature

Since 9/11, American security forces have been occupied with preventing foreign operatives from bringing conflicts to US cities. Migration has changed the population of many of the world's nations.

The Guardian - Books

To be fair, Evan, 30, and Oliver, 33, have been occupied with other things, like designing restaurants (among them, Telepan Local in TriBeCa, Ramona in Greenpoint and a project for Stephen Starr in Philadelphia).

The New York Times

Yet for well over a week many have been occupied with something much frothier: what they do with frequent-flyer miles from Lufthansa.For businessmen, bankers and (yes) journalists the answer might be a cheap holiday.

The Economist

Since the 2005 release of The Woods, the separate members of Sleater Kinney have been occupied with solo ventures: Tucker has released two albums with the Corin Tucker Band, while Brownstein and Weiss formed Wild Flag, not to mention Brownstein's comedy series Portlandia and Weiss' work with bands such as Quasi and Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks.

The Guardian - Music

LOS ANGELES — While most executives in the American film business were busy handicapping the prospects of late Oscar entries like "Zero Dark Thirty" and "Les Misérables," those who run China's movie business — the officials in the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television — have been occupied with a different problem.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 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

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

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been occupied with", ensure that the object of the preposition 'with' is a specific activity, task, or area of focus. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "have been occupied with" followed by a broad or undefined subject. For example, instead of "I have been occupied with things", specify the "things" as in "I have been occupied with project deadlines and family matters".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been occupied with" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of being engaged or involved in a specific activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been occupied with" is a grammatically sound and useful expression to convey that someone has been engaged in a task or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it sees frequent use in contexts like news, media, and science. When using this expression, ensure the subject following "with" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider related phrases like "have been engaged in" or "have been busy with" for a more nuanced meaning. Though not as common as other phrases, "have been occupied with" offers a precise and professional way to describe one's focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been engaged in

This alternative emphasizes involvement and participation in an activity.

have been involved in

Similar to "have been engaged in", this highlights participation and connection to something.

have been busy with

This option focuses on the state of being actively doing something, implying a lack of free time.

have been engrossed in

This phrase suggests a deep level of absorption and focus on something.

have been focused on

This alternative directly emphasizes the act of directing attention and effort towards something.

have dedicated time to

This phrase highlights the commitment of time and effort to a specific purpose.

have devoted energy to

This option emphasizes the application of effort and enthusiasm towards a goal.

have been immersed in

This suggests a complete and all-encompassing involvement in something.

have had their attention on

This highlights the direction of one's awareness and focus towards something.

have invested time in

This option suggests a commitment of time with the expectation of a return or benefit.

FAQs

How can I use "have been occupied with" in a sentence?

You can use "have been occupied with" to describe what someone has been spending their time on. For example, "She has been occupied with writing her dissertation" or "They have been occupied with renovating their house".

What are some alternatives to "have been occupied with"?

You can use alternatives such as "have been engaged in", "have been involved in", or "have been busy with" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "have been occupied with" or "have been busy with"?

Both "have been occupied with" and "have been busy with" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Have been occupied with" suggests a focus or engagement in a specific task, while "have been busy with" implies a general state of activity.

Can "have been occupied with" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "have been occupied with" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to describe someone's focus or engagement. However, consider stronger alternatives like "have been engaged in" or "have been involved in" for more impact.