kept me busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept me busy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something occupied your time or attention. Example: "The project was so demanding that it kept me busy for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Some of the properties and businesses I own have kept me busy and I'm also guiding a couple of fighters - Craig Glover and a teenager called Thomas Whittaker Hart.

BBC

They kept me busy".

The New York Times

It kept me busy".

The New York Times - Arts

And they kept me busy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Doing 101 things kept me busy".

The New York Times

Quite simply, it kept me busy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 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

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

Huffington Post

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

The bureaucracy of caring keeps me busy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept me busy" when you want to convey that something provided enough tasks or activities to fill your time and attention. It's suitable for describing both positive and challenging situations.

Common error

Avoid consistently relying on passive constructions using "kept me busy". Instead, vary your sentence structure by specifying the actor or cause that kept you busy for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept me busy" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something or someone caused the speaker to be occupied or engaged. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kept me busy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating that something occupied one's time and attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, ranging from informal conversations to professional reports. Its meaning is consistently understood across different registers, with usage patterns showing prevalence in News & Media and Academia.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occupied my time

Focuses more on the time element being filled.

engaged my attention

Emphasizes the involvement of one's focus.

consumed my energy

Highlights the effort and vigor expended.

filled my days

Stresses the daily routine being occupied.

absorbed my focus

Highlights a deep level of immersion.

took up my time

Similar to occupied, but slightly more passive.

preoccupied my mind

Emphasizes mental engagement.

had me engrossed

Suggests a captivating level of engagement.

required my full attention

Highlights the demand for focus and concentration.

provided ample to do

Suggests a variety of tasks or activities.

FAQs

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

You can use "kept me busy" to describe an activity, task, or event that occupied your time and attention, such as, "The renovation project "kept me busy" for months".

What are some alternatives to "kept me busy"?

Alternatives include "occupied my time", "engaged my attention", or "consumed my energy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "kept me busy" or "keeps me busy"?

The choice between "kept me busy" and "keeps me busy" depends on the timeframe you are referring to. Use "kept me busy" for past events and "keeps me busy" for present or ongoing activities.

What's the difference between "kept me busy" and "occupied my time"?

While both phrases are similar, ""kept me busy"" implies a general state of being occupied, whereas ""occupied my time"" specifically emphasizes the time aspect being filled.