keep me busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep me busy" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it to say "I need something to keep me busy until my meeting starts".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I coach the under-16s part-time at Spurs, I've got a couple of businesses which keep me busy and do some mentoring with young players.

BBC

Bellamy, who started out with Norwich in 1997, said: "I do have lots of business activities to keep me busy and I'm taking my full coaching badges.

The Guardian - Sport

Just keeping up with the very much younger set would be enough to keep me busy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I've built up my business, and now I've got this big house to keep me busy and give me a place in the world".

The New Yorker

But I knew I needed something to keep me busy".

The New York Times

"I will find something to keep me busy," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

It should be enough to keep me busy!

Cornell University

"I have five grandchildren now who keep me busy".

The New York Times - Arts

It would keep me busy thinking about what it meant.

The Guardian

They keep me busy and they keep me in shape".

The New York Times

But there were plenty of other funny women to keep me busy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep me busy" to express a desire for productive engagement, implying a need to avoid idleness or boredom.

Common error

In professional or academic writing, avoid using "keep me busy" too casually. Opt for more formal alternatives like "occupy my time" or "engage my attention" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep me busy" functions as a request or statement indicating a desire for activities or tasks to fill one's time. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is acceptable and usable in written English, highlighting its role in expressing a need to avoid idleness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep me busy" is a common and generally acceptable way to express a desire for activities or tasks to fill one's time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While it's suitable for most informal and neutral contexts, more formal situations may benefit from alternatives like "occupy my time" or "engage my attention". As evidenced by the numerous examples in Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used in news, media and academic circles to express a need for productivity and engagement, contributing to a balanced and fulfilling life.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep me occupied

This focuses on being filled with activity so that the time passes pleasantly.

occupy my time

This alternative focuses on filling available time with activities.

engage my attention

This option emphasizes capturing and maintaining focus.

give me something to do

This is a more direct and simple way to express the need for activity.

fill my schedule

This phrase suggests having numerous appointments or tasks.

provide me with activities

This alternative highlights the provision of tasks or engagements by an external source.

offer sufficient tasks

This is more formal and business-oriented, referring to the provision of work or assignments.

absorb my energies

This emphasizes the expenditure of effort and resources on a particular activity.

present ongoing challenges

This implies continuous and stimulating work that prevents boredom.

provide a distraction

This suggests diverting attention from worries or boredom.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep me busy" to express a need for activities or tasks to fill your time, as in "I need a new hobby to "keep me busy" during retirement".

What are some alternatives to "keep me busy"?

Some alternatives to "keep me busy" include "occupy my time", "engage my attention", or "keep me occupied". The best choice depends on the context.

Is "keep me busy" formal or informal?

"Keep me busy" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, consider using phrases like "engage my attention" or "provide sufficient tasks".

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

While similar, "keep me busy" emphasizes activity and productivity, while "keep me occupied" focuses on filling time pleasantly. They are often interchangeable, but the nuance depends on the specific situation.