mostly busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly busy" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe an individual who has a lot of work to do or is usually preoccupied. For example, "My brother is mostly busy these days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Churchill was colonial secretary during much of this time, mostly busy with the 1921 partition of Ireland.

The Guardian

The few other expatriates on the scene were mostly busy proselytizing, and there was little to do during the brutal winters but develop a taste for fermented mare's milk.

The New York Times

For now, though, it's mostly busy working with event promoters and others to use its app.

TechCrunch

Since they are mostly busy with their works during working hours, the risk of such contamination is low.

Health Economics Review

It would be no problem for low-priority messages to be scheduled for off-peak periods, effortlessly increasing revenue, while more urgent data could be squeezed into temporary lulls in mostly busy traffic.

BBC

These investors are mostly busy running other companies – Yagan is the CEO of Match Group – but every once in a while (the thinking goes), one of them will have a business idea that they don't have the time or inclination to pursue on their own.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Members of our caste are mostly business owners with very busy schedules, and therefore, they don't do anything to redress their situation.

Vice

The impoverished were mostly too busy surviving.

The Guardian

They didn't know why he had come and, as usual, they were mostly too busy to talk.

The Guardian - Arts

BUSINESS IN VIETNAM -- Millions of Vietnam veterans passed through the dusty Tan Son Nhut airfield in Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City, in the days when it was mostly a busy military base.

The New York Times

But mostly the "busy one" buys his stuff from the Fras market in the centre of Gaza City, he says, bits and pieces for those who cannot afford to buy new things from the shops in a place where inflation is rampant and unemployment high.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's typical state, use "mostly busy" to convey they are generally occupied, but not necessarily overwhelmed.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly busy" when someone is experiencing a temporary surge in workload. "Mostly busy" suggests a habitual condition, not a short-term situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly busy" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the state of being occupied with tasks or activities for the majority of the time. Ludwig provides examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mostly busy" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a state of being generally occupied. Ludwig's analysis shows that it functions as an adjectival phrase, conveying that someone is engaged in activities for a significant portion of their time. It is mostly found across News & Media and Science publications. Alternatives like "largely occupied" or "primarily engaged" can be used depending on the intended nuance. While "mostly busy" suggests a habitual condition, it's important to avoid using it for short-term situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely occupied

Replaces "busy" with "occupied", focusing on the state of being engaged rather than the activity itself.

primarily engaged

Substitutes "busy" with "engaged", emphasizing the involvement in tasks or activities.

generally preoccupied

Replaces "busy" with "preoccupied", suggesting a mental absorption in tasks.

mainly active

Uses "active" instead of "busy", highlighting a state of doing things.

frequently tied up

Employs the idiom "tied up" to denote being busy, implying constraints on time and availability.

often working

Focuses specifically on the act of "working" as the primary occupation.

usually engrossed

Replaces "busy" with "engrossed", suggesting a deep level of involvement in activities.

typically occupied

Emphasizes that being occupied is the usual or expected state.

commonly involved

Highlights the frequent involvement in various activities or tasks.

mostly active

A simple variation using 'active' to suggest a state of busyness.

FAQs

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

You can use "mostly busy" to describe someone who is generally occupied with tasks or activities, like: "She is "mostly busy" with her work, but makes time for her family."

What are some alternatives to saying "mostly busy"?

Alternatives include "largely occupied", "primarily engaged", or "generally preoccupied", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "mostly busy"?

Yes, "mostly busy" is grammatically correct and understandable. It indicates that someone is occupied or engaged in activities for a significant portion of their time, according to Ludwig AI.

What's the difference between "mostly busy" and "always busy"?

"Mostly busy" implies that someone is occupied most of the time, but not constantly. "Always busy" suggests a continuous state of being occupied without any breaks or downtime.