he is occupied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is occupied" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is busy or engaged in an activity and is not available for other tasks or conversations. Example: "I tried to call him, but he is occupied with a meeting right now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

And far from resting on his laurels, he is occupied reinventing his business.

The Economist

No longer a video clerk, he is occupied with writing screenplays, or, as we say here on Earth, unemployed.

The New Yorker

As director of the Office of Management and Budget, he is occupied with conceiving, drafting, selling, and passing the President's budget.

The New Yorker

"I could also say that he is occupied and concerned about the immense task not only to govern Vatican City State, but to change things that he knows need to change," she added.

The New York Times

Now he is occupied with dump trucks, fire engines, bicycles and candy ��� things that stimulate the senses in new ways.

TechCrunch

There is a sign "Beware of the Bull," but hopefully he is occupied elsewhere.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He is occupying the middle ground in order to reassure white voters that he shares their values.

The Economist

"He is not at Sotheby's or GlaxoSmithKline and it is the same sort of role he is occupying at BSkyB," Rouse said.

The Guardian

While he was occupied, Fiona turned to Grant.

The New Yorker

"During the past five years, I've watched him excel in every position he's occupied.

The New Yorker

In the following years he was occupied with low-cost settlements in Mumbai, Bangalore and Jodhpur.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he is occupied", ensure the context clearly indicates what he is occupied with or by. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "he is occupied" can sometimes sound passive. Consider using active voice constructions like "he is working on..." for a more direct and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is occupied" typically functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a state of being busy or engaged in an activity. It suggests that the subject's time and attention are currently devoted to something else. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently encountered in various writing styles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is occupied" is a grammatically sound way to convey that someone is currently busy or engaged in an activity. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, it's worth noting that the usage frequency is relatively uncommon. The phrase appears across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Encyclopedia sources. For alternative expressions, consider "he is busy" or "he is engaged". When employing this phrase, ensure the context makes it clear what the subject is occupied with to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is busy

Focuses on the state of being engaged in activities, lacking availability.

he is engaged

Highlights involvement or participation in something.

he is tied up

Indicates being busy and unavailable.

he is engrossed

Emphasizes being completely absorbed in something.

he is preoccupied

Suggests being mentally focused on something else.

he is involved

Highlights active participation in an activity or task.

he is unavailable

Directly states the lack of availability.

he is working

Focuses on the act of performing a job or task.

he is in a meeting

Specifies a common reason for being occupied.

he is in the middle of something

Implies current engagement without specifying the activity.

FAQs

What does "he is occupied" mean?

The phrase "he is occupied" means that someone is busy or engaged in an activity and therefore not available or accessible at the moment. It implies that their time and attention are currently being used.

What are some alternatives to "he is occupied"?

You can use alternatives like "he is busy", "he is engaged", or "he is preoccupied" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "he is occupied with" something?

Yes, it is correct to say "he is occupied with" something. This clarifies what he is currently busy or engaged in. For example, "He is occupied with a meeting".

What's the difference between "he is occupied" and "he is busy"?

While both phrases indicate that someone is not available, "he is occupied" often suggests a more focused or absorbing activity than just "he is busy". "Occupied" implies that the person's attention is completely held by something.