keeping busy

USAGE SUMMARY

"keeping busy" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to remain active and occupied with tasks or activities. Example: I've been keeping busy with work and household chores since the start of the new year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We multitask, juggling several things at once, trying to keep up by keeping busy.

The Guardian

Keeping busy, he said, helps keep his spirits up.

The New York Times

The firm has also been keeping busy with its traditional business, buyouts.

The New York Times

Despite his injury, Stewart said he had been keeping busy with the Stewart-Haas racing business.

The New York Times

Keeping busy?

The Guardian - Sport

keeping busy     c.

The New Yorker

"Keeping busy, as usual".

The New Yorker

It's all about keeping busy.

The New Yorker

But he is certainly keeping busy.

The New York Times

Anna was making bread, keeping busy.

The New Yorker

"Keeping busy is my escape".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keeping busy" to suggest a proactive approach to filling time with activities, especially when someone is intentionally avoiding idleness or dealing with a difficult situation. For example: "After the job loss, he found solace in keeping busy with volunteer work."

Common error

Avoid using "keeping busy" when you want to emphasize high productivity or focused achievement. While it implies activity, it doesn't necessarily convey effectiveness. Instead of saying 'She's keeping busy with the project', try 'She's diligently working on the project' to highlight her focused efforts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keeping busy" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a noun. It typically describes the act of remaining active and occupied with tasks or activities. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keeping busy" is a common and grammatically sound gerund phrase used to describe the act of remaining active and occupied, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to communicate engagement in activities, often to avoid idleness or cope with difficult circumstances. While generally neutral in register, it is most frequently found in News & Media and Academic contexts. Consider alternatives like "staying occupied" or "remaining active" for nuances in meaning. When writing, be mindful to differentiate it from focused achievement and consider the specific context to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

staying occupied

Focuses more on being filled with activity, slightly less emphasis on proactive engagement than "keeping busy".

remaining active

Emphasizes a state of action or movement, relevant when physical or mental activity is highlighted rather than just filling time.

staying active

Similar to 'remaining active', highlighting continuous engagement and energy.

being engaged

Highlights involvement and participation, shifting the focus from just activity to active involvement.

being active

Focuses on the state of action, without necessarily implying a purpose.

being occupied

Indicates that one's time or attention is taken up by something, implying less control over the activity than with "keeping busy".

juggling tasks

Implies multitasking and managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously.

having a lot on one's plate

Indicates a large workload or many responsibilities, often implying stress or pressure.

immersed in activities

Suggests a deep level of engagement, indicating being deeply involved or absorbed in something.

full of activity

Describes a condition characterized by a lot of action, energy, or work

FAQs

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

You can use "keeping busy" to describe someone who is actively engaged in various tasks or activities, often to avoid boredom or deal with a difficult situation. For instance, "Since retiring, he's been keeping busy with gardening and community projects".

What are some alternatives to saying "keeping busy"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "staying occupied", "remaining active", or "being engaged" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "keeping busy" formal or informal language?

"Keeping busy" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, consider using alternatives like "remaining active" or "staying occupied" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "keeping busy" and "multitasking"?

"Keeping busy" implies a general state of being active and occupied, whereas "multitasking" specifically refers to handling multiple tasks simultaneously. You can be "keeping busy" with one task, but "multitasking" always involves multiple tasks.