looked extremely busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looked extremely busy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who appears to be very occupied or engaged in work or activities. Example: "When I walked into the office, everyone looked extremely busy, so I decided to wait before asking my questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sharpe James's challenger, Cory Booker – who has, until now, looked extremely busy in waging what amounts to a one-man campaign – briefly disappeared today.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Still, the first few months of my 2012 look extremely "busy".

Huffington Post

Stan and Benny looked extremely uncomfortable.

The New Yorker

"He looked extremely good.

The New York Times - Sports

He looked extremely fit.

The Guardian - Travel

They looked extremely young.

The New Yorker

That looked extremely painful.

The Guardian - Sport

He, too, looked extremely at ease.

The New York Times

"Novak has looked extremely tough.

BBC

Tintin looks extremely impressive.

The Guardian - Film

Broad looks extremely nervous.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "looked extremely busy", ensure the context provides specific details supporting this observation, such as a cluttered desk or multiple simultaneous tasks.

Common error

Avoid using "looked extremely busy" as a generic description without providing concrete evidence. Saying someone "looked extremely busy" implies a high level of activity, so ensure the situation warrants such a strong statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looked extremely busy" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating someone's apparent state. It combines the verb "looked" (past tense of "look"), the adverb "extremely", and the adjective "busy" to convey a strong impression of being occupied. Ludwig AI suggests this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looked extremely busy" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe someone who appears very occupied. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. While it is generally neutral in tone, its frequency is notably high in News & Media. For alternative expressions, consider "appeared very busy" or "seemed extremely occupied" depending on the desired level of formality. Remember to provide specific context when using this phrase to accurately convey the level of activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appeared very busy

Replaces "looked extremely" with "appeared very", maintaining a similar level of perceived activity but with slightly less intensity.

seemed extremely occupied

Substitutes "looked" with "seemed" and "busy" with "occupied", offering a more formal tone while preserving the core meaning.

presented a busy image

Focuses on the image or impression conveyed, rather than the direct observation.

gave the impression of being swamped

Uses a more evocative expression to convey the feeling of being overwhelmed with work.

projected an air of intense activity

Emphasizes the outward projection of busyness, using more formal and descriptive language.

seemed to be working hard

Shifts the focus to the effort being exerted rather than simply the state of being busy.

appeared to have a lot on their plate

Uses an idiom to suggest a heavy workload and a busy state.

seemed to be constantly in motion

Emphasizes the continuous activity and movement associated with busyness.

gave the appearance of being fully engaged

Focuses on the complete involvement and attention implied by the state of busyness.

seemed stretched thin

Conveys the idea of being overburdened and struggling to manage multiple demands.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "looked extremely busy" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "appeared very occupied", or "presented a busy image". These alternatives maintain the meaning while elevating the register.

What's a more casual way to say someone "looked extremely busy"?

Informally, you could say someone "seemed swamped" or "seemed to have a lot on their plate". These options use more colloquial language.

Is it redundant to say "looked extremely busy"?

While "busy" already implies activity, "extremely busy" emphasizes the intensity of that activity. The phrase "looked extremely busy" isn't necessarily redundant if you want to highlight a particularly high level of engagement.

Which is more accurate, "looked busy" or "looked extremely busy"?

The choice depends on the situation. "Looked busy" suggests a general state of occupation, while "looked extremely busy" implies a much higher degree of engagement and activity. Select the phrase that best reflects the observed level of busyness.