occupying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occupying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of taking up space or holding a position, whether physically or metaphorically. Example: "The protesters were occupying the square, demanding justice and change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The university board of directors responded to the Bungehuis protest by initiating a lawsuit against the occupying student seeking a fine of €100,000 per student per day.

The Guardian

Bilateral tension remained high until summer 2008, when the two countries fought a five-day war over the territory of South Ossetia, which ended with Russian troops occupying parts of Georgia proper.

The Guardian

Students are occupying Maagdenhuis, the university's main administrative building, calling for a democrastisation of the institution.

The Guardian

In Amsterdam we started by occupying symbolic university buildings, organising public rallies and taking to the streets en masse.

The Guardian

Open Thu-Sun 2pm-6pm SinuAmsterdammsterdam's hip Oud-West neighbourhood and occupying a foreboding brick building that used to house an anatomical pathology laboratory, this project space offers art alongside a lot more.

The Guardian - Travel

Protesters, many of whom are armed, have been occupying an administration building in the regional capital, Donetsk, and a security service building in neighbouring Luhansk region for more than a week, and this weekend took over several buildings in Slaviansk and nearby cities.

The Guardian

"As soon as he received the money, he said the room I'd chosen to rent wasn't available any more, as the girl who was occupying it decided she wanted to stay on an extra year.

The Guardian - Money

But this remains an election where the leaders – despite Abbott's attempts to distance himself from the issue – are seen as occupying starkly different positions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet, amid this bleak political landscape, students have been occupying their universities.

The Guardian

Having reduced the Japanese nation to submission, the occupying Allied powers turned decommissioned Japanese vessels into whaling ships, and – with western observers aboard – were sent out to kill whales and use their meat to feed a starving nation.

The Guardian

It refers both to a physical space – communal dormitory, common room and washroom – and the 100-120 woccupyingpyitg it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing protests or movements, use "occupying" to convey a sense of active presence and resistance. For instance, "The students were "occupying" the administration building."

Common error

Avoid using "occupying" when a more appropriate verb like "holding" or "fulfilling" would better convey the intended meaning. For instance, instead of "He is "occupying" the role of project manager", consider "He is fulfilling the role of project manager".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "occupying" is that of a present participle or gerund. It often acts as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "is occupying") or as a verb acting as a noun. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

23%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "occupying" functions primarily as a present participle or gerund, describing the action of taking up space or holding a position. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its widespread and grammatically sound usage across various contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business sources, indicating its versatility. While generally neutral in register, it can be adapted to different levels of formality. When writing, remember to use "occupying" to convey a sense of active presence. Ensure its appropriateness to the context, avoiding misuse in abstract situations where alternatives such as "fulfilling" might be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking up

A more literal expression of occupying space, often used in a physical or quantifiable sense.

residing in

Focuses on the aspect of living or staying in a place, shifting the emphasis from merely taking up space to establishing a temporary or permanent dwelling.

inhabiting

Similar to residing, but often implies a more permanent or natural presence in a space, particularly in ecological or environmental contexts.

holding

Emphasizes the act of possessing or controlling a physical space or position, often implying authority or resistance to displacement.

stationing

Suggests a deliberate and often temporary placement of personnel or equipment in a location for a specific purpose, such as military or monitoring activities.

seizing

Implies taking control of a space or position by force or strategic maneuver, highlighting the competitive or conflictual aspect of the action.

engrossing

Shifts the context to mean something is taking up someone's attention.

busying

Implies filling time or attention with activity, taking up capacity

pervading

Highlights the act of spreading throughout a space or area, often used to describe a feeling or influence that fills the environment.

filling

Focuses on the action of making something full, the context changes slightly as is not really the same as occupy

FAQs

How is "occupying" typically used in a sentence?

"Occupying" is used to describe the act of taking up space or position. For example, "The troops are "occupying the territory"" or "She is "occupying herself with work"".

What are some alternatives to using "occupying"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "residing in", "holding", or "engrossing".

Which is correct, "occupying a space" or "filling a space"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Occupying a space" implies taking up or inhabiting a space, while "filling a space" suggests making a space full or complete. The choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "occupying" and "inhabiting"?

"Occupying" can imply a temporary or forceful presence, while "inhabiting" suggests a more permanent or natural presence. For example, one might say troops are "occupying a city", while animals are "inhabiting a forest".