keeps me busy

USAGE SUMMARY

'keeps me busy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that something is occupying your time. For example: "My job keeps me busy, but I always make time for family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"I started keeping a journal because it keeps me busy when the booth is slow and it helps me channel my anxiety," said Kelly Sopp, who will exhibit at half a dozen children's apparel and gift shows this year to promote her Wry Baby clothing line.

The New York Times

Being a father, a business owner, a creative person and a motivator keeps me busy.

Huffington Post

The bureaucracy of caring keeps me busy.

The Guardian

("Anything with action keeps me busy," he said).

The New York Times - Sports

My 5-month old son also keeps me busy.

The New York Times

And I started a construction company in Washington with a friend of mine, so that keeps me busy, too.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 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

They kept me busy".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keeps me busy" to convey that your activities or responsibilities are plentiful and engaging. It's a versatile phrase suitable for both professional and personal contexts.

Common error

While "keeps me busy" is a common and acceptable phrase, relying on it too frequently can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "occupies my time" or "fills my days" to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "keeps me busy" is to act as a verbal phrase within a sentence. It describes the effect of something (a job, a hobby, etc.) on the speaker, indicating that it occupies their time and attention. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keeps me busy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that one's time is occupied with activities or responsibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media, and carries a neutral tone. While versatile, it's advisable to use synonyms like "occupies my time" or "fills my days" to avoid repetition and maintain writing quality. The phrase is widely understood and poses no common grammatical pitfalls, making it a reliable choice for expressing busyness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupies my time

Focuses on the act of filling time, highlighting the temporal aspect of busyness.

fills my days

Emphasizes the daily engagement and activity that keeps someone occupied.

engages my attention

Highlights the mental involvement and focus required by the activities.

consumes my energy

Stresses the effort and vitality expended on the tasks at hand.

takes up my schedule

Indicates that activities are planned and integrated into a structured routine.

provides ample to do

Highlights the availability of abundant tasks or activities.

presents many responsibilities

Emphasizes the obligations and duties that keep someone busy.

involves a lot of action

Focuses on the dynamic nature and activity level of the tasks.

gives me purpose

Highlights the meaningfulness and direction provided by the activities.

keeps me productive

Stresses the active generation of results, emphasizing productivity.

FAQs

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

You can use "keeps me busy" to describe activities or responsibilities that fill your time. For example, "My new job "keeps me busy", but I enjoy the challenge" or "Volunteering at the local shelter "keeps me busy" during retirement".

What are some alternatives to saying "keeps me busy"?

Alternatives include "occupies my time", "fills my days", or "engages my attention". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "keeps me busy"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Keeps" is the third-person singular present tense of the verb "keep", "me" is the object pronoun, and "busy" is an adjective describing the state. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

How formal is the phrase "keeps me busy"?

The phrase "keeps me busy" is generally considered neutral in terms of formality. It's suitable for both informal conversations and more professional settings, although more formal alternatives might be preferred in highly formal contexts.