is occupied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is occupied" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a space, position, or role is currently taken or filled. Example: "The conference room is occupied, so we will need to find another place to meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Palestine is occupied!

The New York Times

The space is occupied.

The New York Times

His mind is occupied".

The New Yorker

The job he seeks is occupied.

The Economist

Tibet is occupied, and Tibetans reject violence.

The New York Times

All the seating is occupied.

The Guardian - Travel

And if it is occupied?

The New York Times

But this is occupied France.

The Guardian - Books

His home is occupied by someone else.

The Guardian - Books

Today it is occupied by the Department of Chemical Engineering.

University of California, Berkeley

It is occupied by Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Rose.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical spaces, use "is occupied" to clearly indicate that the space is currently in use and not available. For abstract concepts, consider alternatives like "is engaged" or "is taken" for better nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "is occupied" in very informal conversations where simpler alternatives like "is taken" or "is being used" would sound more natural. Reserve "is occupied" for more formal or descriptive writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is occupied" primarily functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of being filled or possessed. Ludwig's examples show it describing spaces, positions, or even one's mind. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is occupied" is a versatile stative verb phrase used to describe a state of being filled or possessed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and Ludwig's examples highlight its use across diverse contexts, from physical spaces to abstract concepts. While "is occupied" is common in news, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, it's advisable to use simpler alternatives like "is taken" in informal settings. Remember that "is occupied" describes a state, while "is being occupied" describes an ongoing action. When choosing related phrases, consider nuances in meaning, such as "is engaged" for attention or involvement rather than spatial occupancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is taken

A more direct and simple way of saying something is not available because someone else has it.

is filled

Emphasizes the completeness of occupancy, suggesting no more space is available.

is in use

Implies something is currently active or being utilized.

is being used

Focuses on the action of using something rather than the state of being occupied.

is engaged

Suggests being involved or committed to something, often referring to attention or activity.

is held

Indicates possession or control over a space or position.

is inhabited

Specifically refers to a place being lived in or occupied by living beings.

is tenanted

Formal term for a property being occupied by a tenant.

is cornered

Means that there is nothing left to aquire, every space or resource is controlled.

is seized

Indicates that someone took possession of a space or area in a forceful way.

FAQs

How can I use "is occupied" in a sentence?

You can use "is occupied" to indicate that a space, position, or role is currently taken or filled. For example: "The seat "is occupied", so you'll have to stand", or "Her mind "is occupied" with thoughts of the future".

What can I say instead of "is occupied"?

You can use alternatives like "is taken", "is in use", or "is filled" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is occupied" or "is being occupied"?

Both "is occupied" and "is being occupied" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Is occupied" describes a current state, while "is being occupied" describes an ongoing action. For example, "The territory "is occupied"" (state) versus "The territory "is being occupied"" (action of occupying).

What's the difference between "is occupied" and "is engaged"?

"Is occupied" generally refers to physical or abstract spaces being filled or used, while "is engaged" typically refers to someone's attention or involvement in an activity. For example, "The room "is occupied"" versus "Her attention is engaged by the conversation".