keep busy

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep busy" is a valid phrase in written English and can be used in many contexts.
For example, "I'm determined to keep busy during the winter months, so I am taking an online course on web design."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Second, keep busy.

The Guardian - Opinion

I can keep busy.

The New York Times

Both keep busy.

The New York Times

So I keep busy.

The Guardian

That's why I keep busy".

Independent

"I need to keep busy".

The New York Times

I like to keep busy.

The Guardian - Books

"He likes to keep busy".

The New York Times

"I have to keep busy.

The Guardian - Sport

But smaller forces keep busy.

The New York Times

I just love to keep busy.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, specify the means by which one can "keep busy" such as "keep busy with work", "keep busy with studies".

Common error

While "keep busy" is versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "remain engaged" or "maintain a high level of activity" to enhance professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep busy" functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe the action of engaging in activities to avoid idleness or boredom. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It is frequently used in everyday language to advise or explain someone's actions, as showcased in several examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

31%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep busy" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of actively engaging in activities to avoid idleness or negative emotions. Ludwig AI validates its usage, indicating it is well-established in English. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as wiki sources, the phrase serves to advise, encourage, or explain a behavior. While versatile, consider more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing. Overall, "keep busy" is a useful and readily understood expression for promoting an active and engaged lifestyle.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay active

Focuses on the state of being active rather than the act of keeping oneself that way.

stay occupied

Stresses the state of being busy, similar to 'stay active'.

occupy oneself

Highlights the act of filling one's time with activities.

fill one's time

Directly addresses the act of occupying available time.

remain engaged

Emphasizes continued participation and involvement.

engage in activities

Similar to 'remain engaged', but broader in scope.

find activities

Focuses on the search for tasks rather than the act of maintaining busyness.

be productive

Highlights the outcome of being busy, emphasizing usefulness.

pursue interests

Suggests focusing on hobbies and personal pursuits to stay busy.

undertake tasks

Emphasizes the active completion of duties and projects.

FAQs

How can I use "keep busy" in a sentence?

You can use "keep busy" to describe the act of engaging in activities to avoid idleness or boredom. For example, "After retirement, he decided to "keep busy" by volunteering at the local library".

What can I say instead of "keep busy"?

You can use alternatives like "stay active", "occupy oneself", or "remain engaged" depending on the context.

Is it better to "keep busy" or "stay busy"?

Both ""keep busy"" and "stay busy" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Keep busy" implies a continuous effort to remain active, while "stay busy" suggests maintaining a state of busyness.

What's the difference between "keep busy" and "be productive"?

"Keep busy" focuses on engaging in activities, regardless of their outcome. "Be productive", on the other hand, emphasizes achieving meaningful results and contributing value.