occupy my time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occupy my time" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when referring to the various activities or tasks that you are preoccupied with or engaged in. For example: "I'm so busy lately - I've had to find different ways to occupy my time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"But I occupy my time doing something positive".

The New York Times

"I have never since then had to be concerned about how to occupy my time," she wrote in her memoir.

The New York Times - Food

"At that point, I was either going to fix the arm or find something else to occupy my time".

The New York Times - Sports

And that was it, really: I decided that was how I was going to occupy my time.

The Guardian - Books

Tommy Winfrey, 36, sentenced to 25 years to life for second degree murder, said as he grew up in prison he has discovered a "few ways to occupy my time".

Independent

Indeed, some never get beyond the title and the first line: they're the ones who dedicate REM's The One I Love to their significant other, blithely unaware that anyone who does listen to lyrics is unlikely to be too impressed at being called "a simple prop to occupy my time".

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"I was becoming better and better, so that occupied my time".

The New York Times - Sports

So fortunately, I'm very good at occupying my time between my film projects and the Institute.

Huffington Post

There was only one problem: Throughout high school, I had occupied my time with petty vandalism and smoking sessions in the woods.

Vice

I occupied my time analyzing the election results, writing a memo on what happened and where I thought we should go next, and keeping in touch with group leaders and donors and other democratic activists I was close to.

Huffington Post

Every Sunday in the fall, he occupied my family's time after church and before the NFL pregame shows.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs if you want to emphasize the engagement or enjoyment of the activity, like "immerse", "dedicate", or "invest".

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "My time is occupied by..." as it can sound passive and less direct. Instead, say "I "occupy my time" with...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occupy my time" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of filling one's available time with activities or tasks, implying engagement or preoccupation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Huffington Post

12%

Vice

8%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "occupy my time" is a versatile and common way to describe how one spends their available time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. It's important to consider the nuance of the phrase: it often implies a deliberate or necessary engagement in activities. While suitable for many situations, alternatives such as "fill my time" or "spend my time" might be more appropriate depending on the specific intention. Remember to avoid passive constructions and to choose stronger verbs when emphasizing engagement or enjoyment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Fill my time

Directly focuses on filling available time, omitting the nuance of engagement or purpose.

Spend my time

Emphasizes the act of using time, without necessarily implying active engagement.

Engage my time

Highlights active involvement and interest in the activities.

Devote my time

Suggests a more dedicated and committed allocation of time to specific activities.

Invest my time

Implies that time is used wisely to generate some benefit or return.

Keep myself busy

Focuses on avoiding idleness by undertaking activities.

Amuse myself

Activities undertaken for fun and relaxation.

Entertain myself

Similar to amuse myself, with the nuance of avoiding boredom or restlessness.

Distract myself

Activities done to avoid thinking about something unpleasant.

While away the time

Spend time in a leisurely or effortless way.

FAQs

How can I use "occupy my time" in a sentence?

You can use "occupy my time" to describe activities that fill your schedule and keep you engaged, such as, "I "occupy my time" with reading and gardening."

What are some alternatives to "occupy my time"?

Alternatives include "fill my time", "spend my time", or "engage my time", depending on the specific context you intend to convey.

Is it more formal to say "occupy my time" or "spend my time"?

"Occupy my time" can have a slightly more formal tone than "spend my time", although both are suitable for most contexts.

How does "occupy my time" differ from "distract myself"?

"Occupy my time" suggests a more constructive or necessary use of time, while "distract myself" typically implies diverting attention from something unpleasant.