kept him occupied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept him occupied" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone is engaged in an activity that prevents them from being idle or bored. Example: "To keep him occupied during the long flight, I packed a few books and puzzles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

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

At one time, he hoped to open a restaurant in Singapore, but family matters brought him back to New York and kept him occupied, so he has not been working for the past couple of years.

The New York Times

Dressed in a Passion T-shirt, casual trousers and work boots, he was tucked away in a London television center, where he was spending the day before returning to his hometown of Port Talbot, Wales, to attend rehearsals for a venture that has kept him occupied for almost two years.

The New York Times - Arts

Moving north to Auckland, Heaphy's new role as the chief draughtsman for the Auckland Survey Office kept him occupied with the preparation of maps and plans.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "kept him occupied", consider the context to ensure the phrase accurately reflects the intended meaning. For example, if the goal was to provide entertainment, "entertained him" might be a more suitable alternative.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of "kept him occupied" in professional or academic writing may sound too informal. Opt for more formal alternatives like "engaged him" or "preoccupied him" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept him occupied" functions as a causative verb phrase, indicating that someone or something caused another person to be in a state of being occupied or engaged. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kept him occupied" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes the act of providing someone with activities to prevent boredom or idleness. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Wiki, with a neutral register suitable for general writing. While useful in many contexts, consider alternatives like "engaged him" or "entertained him" for more formal or nuanced situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preoccupied him

Highlights that the person's mind is being held by something.

engaged him

Focuses on active involvement rather than preventing boredom.

absorbed him

Suggests a deep level of engagement and immersion.

diverted his attention

Emphasizes a shift away from something else.

entertained him

Implies amusement and enjoyment.

held his interest

Highlights the ability to maintain someone's attention.

provided him with activities

More descriptive and less idiomatic.

gave him something to do

A more basic and less nuanced alternative.

made sure he was busy

Emphasizes ensuring a state of activity.

filled his time

Focuses on the consumption of time.

FAQs

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

You can use "kept him occupied" to describe a situation where someone was engaged in an activity that prevented boredom or idleness. For example: "The puzzle "kept him occupied" for hours".

What are some alternatives to "kept him occupied"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "engaged him", "entertained him", or "diverted his attention".

Is it correct to say "kept him occupying"?

No, "kept him occupying" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is ""kept him occupied"", where "occupied" functions as an adjective describing his state.

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

While both phrases imply engagement, "kept him busy" generally suggests a higher level of activity or a focus on productivity. "Kept him occupied" can simply mean preventing boredom, without necessarily implying productivity.