keep him occupied

USAGE SUMMARY

'keep him occupied' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to say that someone should do something to avoid being bored or being idle. For example: I'm going to go meet with my lawyer, so can you keep him occupied while I'm gone?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

He had plenty to keep him occupied.

The New York Times - Sports

He has plenty to keep him occupied.

The New York Times

Officers chatted with him to keep him occupied.

The New York Times

At least he has plenty to keep him occupied.

The Guardian - Books

"We were playing together and I was trying to keep him occupied.

Independent

There are enough numbers to crunch in Rust Belt America to keep him occupied.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Like his antimicrobial resistance work, keeping an eye on the City keeps him occupied – for now.

Independent

It had kept him occupied at the one time nerves might have shown.

The New Yorker

Those projects, which all come to fruition this fall, kept him occupied.

The New York Times

It could not have been too difficult as the inept play of his team kept him occupied.

The New York Times - Sports

Now, however, time can sit heavy, and the institute -- along with choral singing several times a week -- keeps him occupied, he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep him occupied" in a professional context, ensure the tasks assigned are meaningful and contribute to overall goals.

Common error

Avoid assuming that any activity will suffice to "keep him occupied". Consider the person's interests, skills, and current state to ensure genuine engagement, not just superficial busyness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep him occupied" functions primarily as a verb phrase used to describe the action of engaging someone in an activity to prevent boredom or idleness. It emphasizes the act of providing something that consumes time and attention. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep him occupied" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe engaging someone in an activity to prevent boredom or idleness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its primary function is to recommend or suggest an action to maintain someone's engagement, often to manage their behavior or time effectively. The phrase is generally neutral in register, suitable for various contexts, with frequent usage in News & Media and Wiki sources. Related phrases include "keep him engaged", "keep him busy", and "occupy his time". When using the phrase, it's important to consider the individual's needs and interests to ensure genuine engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupy his time

A more formal way of saying "keep him occupied", with a focus on filling available hours.

keep him engaged

Focuses on maintaining interest and active participation, not just preventing idleness.

keep him entertained

Implies providing amusement or enjoyment, which is a specific type of occupation.

keep him busy

Emphasizes filling time with activity, regardless of whether it is enjoyable or stimulating.

give him something to do

A more general way of expressing the need for activity, lacking the nuance of sustained occupation.

divert his attention

Suggests drawing focus away from something else, rather than simply filling time.

provide him with activities

Highlights the act of supplying options for engagement, rather than the engagement itself.

give him a task

Suggests assigning a specific duty or responsibility to prevent inactivity.

involve him in something

Focuses on integrating someone into an activity, rather than simply keeping them from being idle.

stimulate his mind

Emphasizes intellectual engagement and preventing mental stagnation.

FAQs

How can I use "keep him occupied" in a sentence?

You can use "keep him occupied" when you want to ensure someone has something to do, usually to prevent boredom or mischief. For instance, "I need to find a game to keep him occupied during the long car ride."

What's a more formal alternative to "keep him occupied"?

A more formal alternative would be "occupy his time" or "engage his attention". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "keep him occupied" and "keep him busy"?

"Keep him busy" simply means filling his time with activity, while "keep him occupied" implies a more engaging or absorbing activity. So "keep him engaged" focuses on maintaining interest and active participation.

What are some activities to "keep him occupied" during travel?

Consider books, travel games, or downloaded movies to "keep him entertained" and occupied during long journeys.