is very busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very busy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has a lot of tasks or responsibilities to attend to at a given time. Example: "She is very busy with her work this week, so she may not be able to join us for dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Everyone is very busy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He tells me he is very busy.

The Guardian - Business

"No, but it is very busy.

The Guardian - Film

"Yellow taxi is very busy in Manhattan all the time.

The New York Times

GEORGIA: Yeah, at the moment it is very busy.

The New York Times

The system is very busy at the moment.

The Guardian

It is very boring and the road is very busy.

The Guardian

The girl is very busy making plans to attend a costume ball in London.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Business owners are very busy people.

WikiHow

"She's very busy".

Independent

We've been very busy".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is very busy", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is busy with. Providing specific details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is very busy" as a generic excuse without providing context. Instead of saying "I can't meet, I'm very busy", specify the reason: "I can't meet; I'm very busy preparing for the upcoming conference."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very busy" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating that a person, place, or thing has a high level of activity or tasks to handle. Ludwig's examples demonstrate usage across varied subjects, from people to systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is very busy" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a state of high activity or occupation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability across various contexts, though more formal alternatives may exist. When using "is very busy", provide clear context to avoid ambiguity and consider the formality of your writing environment. Common alternatives include "is extremely occupied", "has a lot on their plate", and "is swamped with work", offering nuanced ways to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is extremely occupied

Replaces "very busy" with a more formal intensifier and synonym.

has a lot on their plate

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the same meaning.

is swamped with work

Implies being overwhelmed with tasks.

is up to their ears in work

Another idiomatic way of saying someone is very busy.

is fully engaged

Suggests complete involvement in activities.

is working at full capacity

Focuses on the maximum output and workload.

is operating at maximum capacity

Emphasizes high operational tempo and load.

is tied up

Indicates unavailability due to busyness.

is engrossed in numerous projects

Highlights engagement with several tasks simultaneously.

is actively involved in multiple endeavors

Implies active participation in various tasks.

FAQs

How can I use "is very busy" in a sentence?

You can use "is very busy" to describe someone or something that has a lot of tasks or activities to handle. For example: "She "is very busy" with her work this week", or "The customer service desk "is very busy" during peak hours".

What can I say instead of "is very busy"?

You can use alternatives like "is extremely occupied", "has a lot on their plate", or "is swamped with work" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "is very busy" in formal writing?

While "is very busy" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "is fully engaged" or "is working at full capacity" might be more suitable for formal contexts.

What's the difference between "is busy" and "is very busy"?

"Is busy" indicates that someone has tasks to do, while ""is very busy"" suggests a higher degree of occupation and a greater number of tasks or activities.