occupied by

USAGE SUMMARY

"occupied by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the presence of something in an area or particular space. For example, "This room is occupied by two chairs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was once occupied by cows.

The New Yorker

miles of India occupied by Pakistanis.

The New Yorker

But occupied by whom?

The New Yorker

Three tables were occupied by Chinese.

The New Yorker

It had been occupied by militants.

The New York Times

Many were occupied by small churches.

The New York Times

The private side occupied by the family?

The New York Times - Magazine

Academies occupied by forces expurgating "The Metamorphoses".

The New Yorker

Block occupied by one-story taxpayers.

The New Yorker

His home is occupied by someone else.

The Guardian - Books

Holland was promptly occupied by the Germans.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "occupied by" to clearly and directly state that a space or position is being used or held by someone or something. For instance: "The building is currently occupied by protesters."

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying who or what is doing the occupying. Avoid vague constructions like "The area was occupied" without indicating by whom it was occupied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occupied by" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It indicates the presence of something or someone in a particular space or location. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

55%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "occupied by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness for describing the presence or inhabitation of a space. As demonstrated by the Ludwig examples, it is versatile, appearing across a spectrum of contexts from news and media to scientific literature. While generally neutral in tone, ensuring clarity by specifying the occupant is key to effective communication. Related phrases like "held by" or "inhabited by" can offer nuanced alternatives. Ludwig is a great tool.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held by

Indicates possession or control, similar to occupation but can imply a more temporary or less forceful presence.

inhabited by

Focuses on the idea of living or residing in a place, suggesting a more domestic or natural presence.

populated by

Emphasizes the presence of a group or community in a specific location, highlighting the demographic aspect.

taken up by

Implies that something fills or uses a space, often emphasizing the filling of volume or time.

filled with

Highlights the abundance or saturation of something within a space, suggesting a complete or near-complete filling.

utilized by

Focuses on the active use of a space or resource by someone or something, highlighting functionality.

controlled by

Emphasizes the power or authority over a space or entity, suggesting dominance or management.

owned by

Indicates legal possession of a space or object, focusing on the aspect of ownership.

staffed by

Refers specifically to a place being manned or operated by a group of people, applicable in professional contexts.

administered by

Implies the management or governance of a place or organization, focusing on the administrative aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "occupied by" in a sentence?

Use "occupied by" to indicate that a space or position is being held or used. For example, "The office is "occupied by" the marketing team".

What are some alternatives to "occupied by"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "held by", "inhabited by", or "populated by". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the space is occupying" instead of "occupied by"?

While "occupying" can be used, "occupied by" is generally preferred when indicating what or who is present in the space. "The space is occupying" is less common and might sound awkward unless referring to the space actively taking up something else.

What's the difference between "occupied by" and "filled with"?

"Occupied by" suggests presence or control, while "filled with" implies a space is full of something. For example, "The room is "occupied by" students" (presence), vs. "The room is "filled with" books" (abundance).